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Student Safety & Crime Prevention


What the University/Union does to protect you

  • The University has security cover for our campuses and our halls of residence. Security measures vary between locations and times of day, and may include campus lighting, security staff, CCTV coverage, an on-campus emergency phone number, trained first responders and more.
  • Personal safety alarms are available free of charge from the Students’ Union
  • The University and Students' Union works with local police forces and promotes security related messages and communications to raise student awareness of various issues at relevant times in the academic year.

 

Mobile apps for safety

Phone security

First Aid

Emergencies

If you know the emergency phone number, and you have a good idea where you are when an emergency occurs, you should call it directly. If, however, you are travelling through foreign countries, or if you are in an unfamiliar area / place when an emergency occurs, it can be useful to have an app on your smartphone to help locate you for emergency services.

  • Echo112 is an app that geolocates you, finds the emergency number for the country you are in, and uses the phone’s GPS to locate you on a map which emergency operators can access online. The app makers claim that it works worldwide, but it is based primarily in Switzerland. It relies on the phone’s GPS and requires the phone operators to access a specified website.

Personal Safety

Personal Safety apps are fairly new and their effectiveness has not been proven or tested. Various apps exist, many of which charge one-off or subscription costs. These apps rely on setting up a list of contacts who can be contacted simultaneously if a person gets into trouble. However, in an immediate crisis, running away or ringing emergency services is likely to be safer than notifying friends and family through an app.

  • SafeZone - SafeZone is a safety and security app supported by the University for students and staff. The app allows users to request help such as first aid or security assistance and allows instant communications through two way messaging and calls. SafeZone also allows the University’s Security team to send out mass notifications to the app users in the event of an on-campus emergency.
  • PanicGuard – Recommended by the UK Police, developed together with Crime Stoppers, this app turns a smartphone into a personal attack alarm, evidence collection device and an emergency contact tool.
  • Circle of Six – Need help getting home? Need an interruption? Two touches lets a circle of friends know where you are and how they can help.

Twitter

Twitter has an emergency alert system, allowing organisations such as the police to send messages during emergencies to users who opt in. When an alert is issued a user will receive a push notification, a text message and/or a message on their timeline with a special bell icon depending on user settings.

Twitter’s own page Using Twitter Alerts gives further information.

If you use twitter you can sign up for alerts from South Wales Police at https://twitter.com/swpolice/alerts or for Gwent Police at
https://twitter.com/gwentpolice/alerts.

To sign up for any other police service first find their twitter username then go to https://twitter.com/xxx/alerts where xxx is the username.
There’s a list of police forces on twitter here.

 

Protect your property

There are some common-sense steps you can take to make it less likely that you would become the victim of theft:

 

Crime Prevention Advice

There are ways you can avoid making yourself an easy target for criminals:

  • Get a personal safety alarm to carry with you when you’re out. These are available free of charge from the Students’ Union (from the Info Desk). Please don’t use them for pranks – if people get used to hearing them used in non-emergencies, they can get accustomed to ignoring them.
  • If you’re out walking alone, stick to busy, well-lit areas. Avoid risky shortcuts through alleys and deserted areas.
  • Plan ahead. Know where you are going, how you are getting there and who you are meeting. Always plan your return journey, and inform friends of your whereabouts.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings. Remember that chatting on the phone or listening to an mp3 can distract you from what’s going on around you.
  • Walk confidently and avoid carrying too much at any one time. Always try to keep one hand free.
  • Never accept a lift from a stranger or someone you do not know well- no matter how tired, wet or late you are.
  • Be responsible with your personal belongings, and keep them secure and out of sight.
  • If you witness or are the victim of a theft / robbery, it may not be safe to fight back against the criminal. Defend your life and your person at all times, but when it comes to property, don’t risk your life defending it.

Always report any criminal behaviour that affects you or that you witness to the police, because this could stop it happening to other students.


Handling money

Be safe and smart with your cash:

  • When withdrawing money, do so at a well-lit and secure cash point, and be aware of those around you at all times. If you can, use cash machines located inside banks.
  • Don’t be flash with your cash! Keep it safely tucked away out of sight.
  • Check your statements for unusual spending. Contact your bank if you spot any unusual activity.
  • Treat your bank cards like the rest of your valued possessions – keep them safe and secure at all times.
  • Never write down your pin number or keep it with your card.

 

Useful numbers

It’s important to know, or have easy access to, the following phone numbers.

Emergencies in the UK 999
Emergencies in the EU 112
Medical problem (not life-threatening) in Wales or England 0845 46 47
To report a crime (if you’re not in immediate danger) 101
Security staff on your campus:
Cardiff
Glyntaff
Newport City
Treforest		 Phone number
01443 668543
01443 483165
01633 435020
01443 482057
Nightline  01443 654 888
Directory Enquiries  118 226 
Gas leaks / emergencies 0800 111 999
Animal rescue 0300 1234 999

 

Also find out and add to your phone:

  • The numbers for reporting your bank cards lost or stolen. There may be a number to call from the UK, and a separate one to call if you are abroad

  • The phone number for your landlord

  • Phone numbers for your utilities providers

  • An ICE (in case of emergency) contact in your mobile’s phone book. If you name a contact ICE, and you are injured or unconscious, emergency responders may be able to call your nominated person much quicker if they are marked as such in your phone.

 

Emergency

If you need an emergency response, call the emergency services on 999.

On the Caerleon campus, please also ring 01633 432082, or 555 from any University landline phone. The number is staffed 24h and on-campus first responders will assist you.

On the Newport City campus, please also ring 01633 435020, or 555 from any University landline phone. The number is staffed during building opening hours and first responders will assist you.

 

Medical emergency

If you witness or experience extremely serious situations, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.

If you are on campus, phone security immediately so that they can give directions when the ambulance arrives.

  • Treforest: 01443 482057
  • Glyntaff: 01443 483165
  • Atrium: 01443 668543
  • Newport City: 01633 435020

 

Urgent medical care

For urgent medical problems, contact your GP or NHS Direct Wales: Phone 0845 46 47. The number is staffed 24 hours a day. Or visit the NHS Direct website

 

Cardiff University of Wales Hospital
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4XW
Tel: 02920 747747
 

Royal Glamorgan Hospital
Ynys Maerdy
Llantrisant
CF72 8XR
Tel: 01443 443443
 

Royal Gwent Hospital
Cardiff Road
Newport
NP20 2UB
Tel: 01633 234234

 

Fire

In case of an out-of-control file, call the emergency services on 999 and ask for the fire brigade.

 

Reporting a crime

If you need an emergency response, call the emergency services on 999. Emergencies may include being subjected to fear of immediate violence, or if you are in the process of having your property damaged / stolen.

If there is no emergency, call 101 to log your complaint.

If you require non-urgent assistance – for example if you are the victim of harassment or you would like to report suspicious behaviour or you simply want police advice and assistance – please contact the non emergency number 101.

Please also see the Local police contact details page. It includes information about PACT meetings, local police staff and more.