Section 3: Safety and Security

3.1 Personal Safety

Personal safety is a matter of being aware of your surroundings and avoiding situations which you believe may become confrontational. Oxford is generally a safe place to study and socialise in, and with a few simple precautions you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime. Violence is rare, but it is always worth being aware of the signs and the behaviour of others.

The most important rule is to stay alert. Try to anticipate trouble before it starts, and be prepared to be flexible. If you are going out at night and you consider that your route may be unsafe, please make use of another way even if it is longer. Stay on well-lit streets, and try to remain in a group: there is safety in numbers, and even being in a couple significantly decreases your chances of being attacked. Most victims of assault were on their own after becoming separated from friends; if you are in this situation, it is better to take a taxi or use public transport than to walk. For Safety Bus details, see section 3.7 below. Places where people gather after an alcohol-fuelled evening are always going to be more than a little risky; remember that not everyone in the kebab van queue will have your sunny and charming disposition.

If the worst comes to the worst and you are attacked, try to escape rather than fight back, especially if you believe that your assailant may be armed. You are not being a wimp—it’s good commonsense! Try to get a good description of the attacker, and call ‘999’ as soon as possible. The best chance of catching an attacker is within the first 10-15 minutes after the event, so it is vital that the police are informed immediately. Also be aware that there are times when the emergency services in Oxford are stretched and there can be a delay before the police arrive. In the event of difficulty call the University’s own 24-hour emergency service ((2)89999) who will be able to help you immediately.

Some colleges issue personal attack alarms free and if yours does not, they can be purchased from most DIY stores. However, do remember that a personal alarm cannot prevent attacks and so should not be thought of as a shield enabling you to disregard normal safety precautions. It is much better not to place yourself in a vulnerable position at the outset. If you are concerned about personal safety, a very useful set of web pages for students can be found on the internet at http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/studentcrime/studentcrime1.htm. or see Oxford’s own version at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ouss.

Like other towns and cities, Oxford has some problems with drinks spiking in pubs and clubs. If you are having a night out, take precautions to make sure that no-one can interfere with your drink and try to keep with friends who can be trusted to look after one another.

3.2 Sexual Assault

If you are unfortunate enough to be the victim of an actual or attempted sexual assault and urgent assistance is needed (e.g. medical help, or police attendance because the suspect is still in the vicinity) you need to make a 999 call. But if you want to report a matter that is less urgent (say, because you think that you might have been given a ‘date-rape’ drug the previous night), then you should contact the Police on 0845 8505505 so that they can arrange for an officer to come to see you. Obviously it is preferable to get in touch with the police as soon as possible; but there may be good reasons why a victim is unwilling or unable to do this. The police will not normally act on a report unless the complainant agrees, so early contact does not commit you to further action (but it will help you to get the proper help and advice). Any assault or attempted assault that has happened on college or university remises should also be reported to the authorities responsible for those premises.

3.3 Theft

Whilst the incidence of theft (from college rooms, departments, libraries, motor vehicles, etc.) has been reduced in Oxford by the use of video surveillance systems, it is still a serious problem. Beware of pickpockets in the city centre (mobile phones are particular targets for thieves).

Every care should be taken, inside and outside college, to make sure that doors are locked and articles of value are not left unattended or visible to the opportunist thief. Students are also reminded of the need to lock bicycles securely (preferably to a fixed object) and to keep a record of the identification number. If you have important data on a personal computer or removable media like CD-Roms or memory-sticks (lecture notes, draft dissertations etc.), make back-up copies and keep these separately. The Proctors do not look sympathetically on requests in university examinations for late submission of project reports, theses etc. on the grounds that back-up copies of data were not made or were stolen along with a computer.

The University Security Services run a registration scheme for bicycles and other property such as lap-top computers; please contact the Crime Reduction Officer for details (Mr Norman Stewart (2)72945).

3.4 Police and University Security Services

All incidents of crime should be reported to the Thames Valley Police (tel. 0845 8505505) and to the University Security Services (tel. (2)72944) which is staffed 24 hours a day.

The University and Thames Valley Police fund a scheme under which four Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s), working closely with Proctors’ Officers, patrol the city centre to deter crime and deal with minor offences.

3.5 Lost Property

Lost property should be handed in and enquiries made at the Central Police Station in St Aldate’s (Monday–Thursday and Saturday 8.45 a.m.–4.30 p.m., Friday 8.45 a.m.– 4.15 p.m. tel., Oxford 266214) or at the University Security Services (tel. (2)72944). It is important to inform the police and the Security Services if you recover any property previously reported lost.

3.6 Insurance

Students are strongly recommended to take out insurance for their personal possessions, whether in college or living in lodgings.

3.7 Safety bus

The Safety Bus scheme is run jointly by Oxford Brookes Students’ Union and OUSU. It was set up to provide a safe means of transport late at night. The OUSU Vice-President (Women) is responsible for the OUSU side of the partnership. The Safety Bus is staffed by volunteer drivers and navigators. To use the service simply ring 0771 4445050 between 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Monday to Saturdays and 9 p.m.-1 a.m. on Sundays. The bus will pick you up and deliver you to any destination within the ring road all for only £1 donation per trip. The scheme is available to OBSU and OUSU members. Priority will always be given to lone and/or vulnerable individuals as the emphasis for the scheme is on safety.

For information about how to volunteer please see: http://www.ousu.org/welfare/o/.

3.8 Safe Cycling

Cycling is often the fastest way of getting around Oxford. Here are some tips for keeping yourself safe. You need the right equipment: a mechanically sound bike that fits you, front and rear lights, rear reflector, good-quality lock. Wear a correctly fitting helmet and something high-viz and reflective, particularly at night. Brush up on the Highway Code: it is illegal as well as dangerous to jump red lights and cycle on the pavement. Ride in a good, visible position; take care at junctions (e.g. watch out for left-turning vehicles if you are on the inside). To improve your urban cycling skills, see http://www.ctc.org.uk/. You can register your bike with the University Security Services (see above).

3.9 Victim Support

The Victim Support scheme is independent of the police and courts. It offers practical support and advice to victims of any crime. The police will give a crime victim’s number or address to the scheme organisers and the organisers will then contact the person to either talk or arrange a meeting (anywhere the victim wants, but never at a police station). Most of the scheme’s staff have been trained in dealing with various traumas or have experienced that trauma. Victim Support can also be contacted direct by a crime victim: tel. Oxford 751511 or 751512, fax: Oxford 751513.

3.10 Begging

In common with many popular tourist areas, Oxford has a problem with beggars. Some are genuinely homeless, but many are seeking to support their drug addiction, or view begging as an easy way to get money. Other people have been known to approach students for financial assistance to cope with a crisis, sometimes even asking students to draw money from a cash-machine for them. If you do not want to give money to these people direct but nevertheless wish to help, you can make a donation to one of the local charities e.g. the Oxford Night Shelter (see www.oxfordnightshelter.org.uk). Please report all incidents of aggressive or persistent begging to the University Security Services Control Room on (2)72944. If you feel threatened by an aggressive or persistent beggar, go into the nearest shop or college lodge to seek assistance.