Keeping you and your home safe

 

 

Click the thumbnail below to view our handy fact sheet about home safety and security, including a safety checklist and tips to keep your home secure.

 

 

Personal safety

 

Personal safety should be top of your agenda at all times, not just when you’re coming home from a night out or popping to the shops. Whilst Liverpool is rated amongst the safest places to live in the UK, it’s still a good idea to take steps that will help keep you are safe whilst on campus and out and about in the city.

 

Take a look at this video from Merseyside Police for tips on staying safe on a night out.

 

 

Take a look at this video from Merseyside Police for tips on staying safe in bars and clubs.

 

 

Take a look at this video from Merseyside Police for tips on staying safe and reducing the chances of being burgled.

 

 

 

Be aware of your surroundings

Using a mobile phone, wearing a hood, or listening to music on headphones, can distract you what’s happening around you. Street crime is often opportunistic, so making yourself less of a target by being aware of your surroundings. This will go a long way to keeping you safe.

Travel safely

Try to stick to routes and forms of transport that others are using. If you do walk home alone, try to stick to main roads and avoid poorly lit areas, alleyways, and shortcuts through lonely places. If possible, travel with a friend.

Booking taxis - ask for a Liverpool licensed driver

By asking for a Liverpool licensed driver, you are ensuring your ride home in Liverpool is safe. Click on the thumbnails to find out more.

 

       

Be vigilant

When using cash machines make sure you protect your PIN. Try to avoid using a cash machine late at night, and if you have been drinking. If you do need to withdraw cash use a machine in a busy well-lit area and stay with friends.

Go against the flow

When walking on the pavement it’s a good idea to face oncoming traffic, as it will make it far more difficult for thieves on two wheelers to ride up from behind and snatch your property. But still also be aware of anyone approaching from ahead of you.

Protect your valuables

Keep them out of sight when you’re out, and don’t leave laptops, tablets or phones unattended, even in the library. Be vigilant if you do have to use your phone outside. It’s also worth registering your possessions with Immoblise – the free national property register that allows the Police to identify the owners of any recovered property in the event of theft.

Keep your keys safe

Using a mobile phone, wearing a hood, or listening to music on headphones, can distract you what’s happening around you. Street crime is often opportunistic, so making yourself less of a target by being aware of your surroundings. This will go a long way to keeping you safe.

Drink responsibly

Alcohol and drugs will reduce reaction times and inhibitions, which makes it harder to assess risks and decide how to deal with them. You are far more vulnerable when you are drunk, especially if you are on your own. Never leave your drink unattended, if you suspect you have been spiked or have witnessed drink spiking, you can report this online.

Attract help

If you feel threatened, make as much noise as possible to identify yourself in order to warn off the individual and to attract help from others.

 

 

Student Accommodation Safety Award (SASA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

In March 2022, a joint Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police project team established that university students particularly were, at higher risk of being a target for burglary. Students were targeted as they tended to possess valuable, easy to sell items which included; cash, laptops, mobile phones, and jewellery. 

 

Funding from the Home Office helped tackle acquisitive crime and has since been used to promote and encourage the awareness of crime within the student community, while implementing physical and environmental changes to neighbourhoods.

 

The Student Accommodation Safety Award (SASA) has been designed for all landlords with the aim of improving home security. Liverpool Student Homes (LSH) have partnered with Merseyside Police to deliver this initiative and improve the safety and security of properties for all students.

 

Several properties are in the process of obtaining the Student Accommodation Safety Award (SASA). Be sure to look for properties with the SASA seal of approval through the Liverpool Student Homes website. Please ask for more information.

 

Only homes that have the SASA award:

  • Get in-person checks from a Merseyside Police officer
  • Must adhere to advanced physical locking standards
  • Commit to maintaining perimeter security infrastructure
  • Are obligated to uphold a defensive maintenance schedule.

View the details of the scheme which the property has to meet in order to achieve the award. Properties that meet the safety and security criteria will be displayed on the LSH website bearing the logo above.

 

 

Merseyside Police

 

If you immediately require the Police or other emergency services call 999. If you need to contact the Police for a non-emergency please call 101 or visit the Merseyside Police website.

 

Message from local Inspector, Merseyside Police

 

We welcome all students to the local area and hope that you have a safe an enjoyable time. Liverpool is one of the safest cities in the country. Sadly, becoming a victim of crime could ruin your experience of the city. Please take care to look after your property and your housemates by taking the simple steps as outlined.

 

Your local neighbourhood Police team is here to help and support you, however if issues arise from your property we will deal with these through the Liverpool Anti Social Behaviour Unit and your university.

 

Finally can I ask that you consider your security and ask the question “If I was a thief, how easy would it be to get into my house?”

 

  • Don't leave valuables on display.
  • Upon entering your home, lock the door behind you.
  • Lock all doors and windows when you go out.
  • When out, pay attention to your surroundings, travel together in the evening and use well lit paths.
  • Love your phone. Log it. Register your electronic property free of charge at Immobilise. This website helps Police to identify the owners of lost & stolen property. Merseyside Police urges you to register all your electronic property on this website.
  • Finally, you are joining a well-established community, please respect your neighbours and do not cause annoyance to other people by leaving rubbish outside your property or causing anti-social behaviour.

 

To find your dedicated local Police Officer for your local area, visit the Merseyside Police website or call 101.

 

 

Home security

 

Many students own small, expensive and easily sold consumer items like phones, smartwatches, MP3 players, cameras, tablets and laptops, which makes rich pickings for burglars. The following tips can help you to avoid becoming an easy target:

 

  • Always lock your external doors with the key, even when you are in the property, to reduce the risk of burglary. If any locks are faulty, speak to your landlord to get them fixed.
  • Don't leave your valuables on show.
  • If your accommodation has shared access, be careful who you let into the communal areas and don't let people follow you into the property if you don't know who they are.
  • If you buy new expensive items don't leave the packaging outside next to your bin, instead take it to a recycling bin or to the tip.
  • If there is access at the back of the property, always make sure that gates are locked and fences are secure.
  • If you leave the property during the holidays, take your valuables with you or arrange to leave them with friends or family until you return.
  • Register your valuables on Immobilise, where you can record all of the serial numbers of your goods. If they are stolen the Police will work with second hand stores to try and retrieve your belongings by searching the database.
  • Please click here to view more information our student safety campaigns, as well as crime prevention advice from Merseyside Police.

 

Fire safety

 

Please visit our dedicated fire safety page for top tips to keep safe from fire in your home, and more key information.

 

 

Gas safety

 

Please visit our dedicated gas safety awareness page for key information about gas safety in your home.

 

 

Electrical safety

 

Please visit our dedicated electrical safety page for top tips to keep safe from electrical hazards in your home, and more key information.

 

 

Take five to stop fraud

 

 

   Criminals operate sophisticated scams that can catch out even the most savvy consumers.

   But, there's a simple way to protect yourself from fraud. This starts with taking five and

   remembering a simple memorable phrase ‘My money? My info? I don’t think so’. If you’re

   unsure, don’t give out your details, click on a link or give anyone your money, or access to it.

 

 

 

More information on preventing fraud can be found here.

 

Spotting common scams

 

Requests to move money

A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by.

Clicking on dodgy links in emails or texts

Dont be tricked into giving fraudsters access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.

Personal information

Always question uninvited approaches in case it is a scam. Instead of responding, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.

 

Household contents insurance

 

Ensure that you have the appropriate household contents insurance cover and that important documents are kept in a secure place ie. safe from fire and flood. Contact your accommodation provider if you are unsure what level of insurance is in place, it is likely that they will only have insurance to cover the building, however some providers may include contents insurance as part of your tenancy agreement.

 

Please also ensure your home is kept secure as some insurance companies may not cover you against theft if the perpetrator gains access to the property through an open or unlocked door/window.