Whilst Salford is a safe place to live and study, there can be times – as there are in all big cities – when you may feel unsafe or in danger. We’ve made it a little easier for you to take the utmost precautions to stay safe around campus and online with our tips below.
1. Download the SafeZone app
As a way to ensure the safety of everyone on campus, we have the safety app SafeZone. Once downloaded, you will have access to emergency or urgent assistance should you need it, first aid, and the ability to report emergency incidents and concerns.
The app can be used if you or someone else is in a situation where personal safety is at risk or if you or someone else is injured or hurt. You can either call for assistance by raising an emergency alert, request first aid or report something suspicious.
Download the app: you can download for free on iOS and Android devices.
Find out more: Safezone webpage
2. Stay vigilant about money scams and fraud
We’re not a big fan of people who exploit students, but we’re aware of it happening. A common way of exploiting students is through elaborate money scams and tricks, especially when it comes to paying for university. This is why it is especially important for you to take extra care when it comes to your financial information.
Never share your bank or card details with anyone unless you trust them; never email your details to anyone, including us (or people who are pretending to be the university); watch out for messages you get like ads and emails with bad spelling and grammar; and don’t allow bank transfers from someone you don’t trust.
Popular ways of tricking students into making dodgy transfers include sending phishing emails pretending to be the Student Loans Company, third party tuition payer scams for international students, and the Money Mule scam which involves you transferring money to someone else from another person whilst keeping some of the money yourself.
Read up on this: further details on the types of money scams can be found on the askUS website. You can also find online safety guidance on our website.
3. Learn about Sexual Consent
Sexual harassment, assault and violence (also known as sexual misconduct) is never OK. To ensure the safety and support of everyone within our community and on campus, it is our responsibility to ensure that we understand and practice consent and learn what constitutes sexual misconduct. You can do this by completing our free Sexual Consent Module.
4. Remember our Report It service
If any concerning incidents happen to you or you see things happen to others that you don’t think are right, we want you to report it to us via our confidential Report It system, so we can act as quickly as possible.
The more reports we get, the more we understand what is happening on campus and where we might need to put additional support or resources in place.
Although Report It has “report” in its title, you are not making an official complaint or grievance with the University. This report also doesn’t log anything with police or emergency services. By submitting a report, you are letting the University know about something that has happened to you, or that you have seen a behaviour that we do not tolerate. If you want to make an official report to the University, you can decide if and when you want to do this with the full support of a case adviser.
Save the page: Report It
5. Be aware of The Prevent Duty
As a University, we are committed to providing support to all students and staff and recognise our duty to prevent anyone at risk from being drawn into terrorism, which is no different to safeguarding individuals or assisting anyone with any other type of welfare need.
The Prevent Duty is part of the The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 in which all universities take every precaution to prevent students being drawn into terrorism. It helps us keep you and your peers safe from radicalisation and extremism.
If you notice that another student or member of staff is being radicalised, you can report it using our confidential service Report & Support. Radicalisation is the process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm. Visit the Act Early website to spot the signs of radicalisation.
If you are impacted by someone’s attitude or behaviour, we encourage you to let us know via Report & Support. You can also seek support by getting in touch with our Wellbeing & Counselling team. Our Wellbeing Advisers are here to listen to anything causing you considerable or concern, no matter how big or small.
Find out more: The Prevent Duty webpage
6. Report incidents on the train
If you’re commuting to uni or travelling around the city, you may unfortunately find yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable or endangered on the train. This could be if someone is exhibiting anti-social behaviour, causing an incident or committing a crime.
In this circumstance, you can text 61016 which allows you to inform the British Transport Police about the issue so it can be dealt with appropriately. In an emergency, always dial 999.
When texting the number, be sure to tell them the nature of the incident, the location and the time. For example, ‘Abusive man on the 7pm Sutton Coldfield to Birmingham New Street service. He was threatening people, and then got off at Birmingham New Street.’ They won’t call you back unless you agree beforehand, and the text can be anonymous if you wish. All texts are monitored 24/7, 365 days a year by their First Contact Centre.
7. Use the Night Bus
If you need a way home after dark, take a night bus to make you get there safely. From the start of the September, night buses will run on the V1 and the 36 routes, connecting Manchester with Leigh and Bolton via Salford. The trial will see services run at least every hour and a single adult ticket costs just £2.
Don’t forget that you can buy a student pass, if you’re going to be using Bee Network buses regularly. Keep an eye on this page for updates about night buses around Greater Manchester.
8. Walking alone? Use Strut Safe
Strut Safe is a free UK-wide phone line to use if you’re walking alone. Volunteers will be a friendly voice to keep you company and help you feel safe until you arrive at your destination, no matter where you are going or where you have come from.
Phone number: 0333 335 0026
Opening hours: Fridays and Saturdays 19:00-03:00 and Sundays 19:00-01:00
All volunteers go through a thorough interview and training process and hold a valid Disclosure and Barring Service certificate. If no volunteers are available when you call, you can choose to either leave a message or you’ll be given an alternative phoneline that is open.
Find out more: Strut Safe website
9. Lock your bicycle
To keep your bike safe on campus, our security team recommend using a sturdy D lock. You can purchase this lock from the Sports Centre on Peel Park campus.
Don’t forget to use the bicycle shelters on campus, which are accessible with your student ID card.
