Students-Stay Safe!

Crime stoppers have launched a nationwide campaign targeting the escalating threats facing UK students, aiming to help students to not be victims of these crimes, and empowering them to speak up anonymously with information they may have about crimes that disproportionately affect them.

Their campaign aims to raise awareness of key issues including:

• Financial exploitation
• Drink and vape spiking
• The dangers of ketamine
• Burglary, robbery, and theft

They want to ensure that students, indeed anyone involved at a higher education establishment, both stay as safe as possible and also know that they can give them information about crimes and remain 100% anonymous – guaranteed.

Being in higher education should be about positive new experiences, not becoming a crime victim. They want to give students the knowledge and tools to protect themselves, their friends and their community from the crimes targeting students most.

How to give information and remain anonymous

In an emergency, and if you are a victim of crime, always call the police on 999 or 101.

Crimestoppers is a charity and completely independent of the police.

You can call our dedicated UK Contact Centre, staffed by specially-trained Call Agents, any time of the day or night – 365 days a year.

Call free on 0800 555 111, or fill in our quick and easy anonymous online form, right here on our website:

if you are a victim of crime, the charity Victim Support can help. Call 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website.

The rising criminal threats to students

Recent data reveals that 3 in 5 students have been approached to become money mules – those who allow criminals to use their bank accounts for money laundering, often inadvertently. This represents a 78% year-on-year increase in money mule activity among under-21s, with criminals specifically targeting financially pressured students (source).

Simultaneously, drink spiking affects 2.2% of UK adults annually – equivalent to approximately 1.2 million people. Research by Drinkaware and Anglia Ruskin University found that 90% of drink spiking incidents go unreported to police, with half of victims stating they “didn’t see the point” in reporting (source).

The campaign also addresses the dramatic rise in ketamine use among young people. Government statistics show that ketamine use among 16-24 year olds has increased by 231% since 2013, with almost 25 tonnes consumed in England in 2024 – more than doubling from 10.6 tonnes in 2023 (source).

Robbery, theft and burglary targeting student accommodation remains significant, with electronics theft being particularly problematic. Universities report varying crime rates, with some institutions experiencing over 20 crimes per 1,000 students (source).

How can you stay safe? Know the signs

Money mule recruitment is targeting cash-strapped students with promises of easy money. Three in five students report being approached. Here’s what you need to know:

Warning signs:

• Offers to use your bank account for “easy money”
• Requests to receive and transfer funds
• Social media messages promising quick cash
• Job offers that seem too good to be true

What to do:

• Never let anyone use your bank account
• Report suspicious approaches to the police
• Block and report suspicious social media contacts

For more information & advice click here – Students: stay safe | Crimestoppers