Cardiff is a fantastic place to live, and incidents are uncommon, but when living in a city environment, there are precautions you can take to help to keep yourself safe.
- 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.
- Never accept a lift from a stranger or someone you do not know well – no matter how tired, wet or late you are.
- Walking at night? Go out as a group and come home as a group. Stick to busy, well-lit areas. Avoid risky shortcuts through alleys and deserted areas.
- Walk confidently and avoid carrying too much at any one time. Always try to keep one hand free.
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Remember that chatting on the phone or listening to music can distract you from what’s going on around you.
- Download your University’s Personal Safety app. Cardiff University students and University of South Wales Students can download the SafeZone app to stay connected to university security services and emergency services if needed. Cardiff MET students can subscribe to the “Callmy Alert” safety app. Simply follow these instructions to subscribe to the service free of charge.
Always report any incidents to the police, because this could stop it happening to other students
Make sure your night is memorable for all the right reasons. REMEMBER…
- Avoid drinks that you have not seen being poured, and never leave a drink unattended
- Keep to well-lit areas when walking between pubs and clubs
- Never go home with strangers. Stay with your friends when you’re out, and make sure you all go home together
- Psychoactive substances – A blanket ban can into effect in the UK in 2016. Please consider your safety first, drugs can have harmful and even lethal side effects and can be very addictive.
Wales Drug & Alcohol Helpline
Freephone: 0808 808 2234 Or text DAN to: 81066 See more at: dan247.org.uk
Laptops, tablets and mobile phones are must have items for criminals, as well as students. Just think about losing all that work on your computer, and those contacts stored on your phone – not good! Be sensible with your gadgets and keep them safe and secure…
- Carry your laptop around only when you have to. Keep it hidden out of sight securely in your bag and never leave it unattended.
- Make sure your laptop is marked using a UV pen with a postcode, house number, student number and university initials. Also activate or download tracking devices on your phones and laptops.
- Register all your possessions for free on immobilise.com, this will help us return items to you if they get lost or stolen.
- Be sensible when using your mobile in public – don’t have it on show sat in the back pocket of your jeans!
- Keep a record of your phone IMEI number, which is a unique code usually found behind your phone battery. If your phone does get stolen, be sure to cancel it with your network provider. This will block the SIM card.
There are two types of licensed taxi vehicle in Cardiff – Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles. Both types require a license from the Council to operate legally. Find out more about the different types of taxis here.
Never get into an unlicensed vehicle. Try not to travel alone but if you do, always sit behind the driver.
No money? – Safe taxi scheme – If you are a Cardiff University or Cardiff Metropolitan University student and do not have money on you to get home, you can use the Safe Taxi Scheme. Find out more on your Student Union website: