HULL: Safety advice for university students during freshers’ week

Humberside Police are looking forward to welcoming thousands of students to Hull for the new university year and to the WelcomeFest events in the city which starts this weekend.

They are raising awareness of the importance of student safety, and how they can keep themselves safe, as well as protecting their own personal property.  

When starting and returning to university after a summer break there are many things to think about, activities to get involved in, and of course catching up with and making new friends and socialising.

It’s an exciting time in any student’s life, but it can also be intimidating and a bit overwhelming.

Along with partners at the university and other local partners they will be there to offer advice, highlight things to think about, and above all ensure students are safe.

They’ll  be on hand at the freshers’ fair to speak with anyone about their concerns. Police are focussing on burglary prevention, theft of valuables, registering personal property, and of course personal safety. Officers are looking forward to meeting students and being able to help as much as possible.

This year they also want students to get involved themselves. They are needed to help spread the messages amongst their university friends and the wider student community.

Humberside Police’s online student survival guide is now live and gives students useful advice and handy tips so they have all the information they need at their fingertips.

Students will also see information about their local policing team and meeting dates on screens around the university campus. These meetings, held throughout the year, will give students a chance to meet local officers, raise any concerns they may have and to share useful safety advice with them. The first meeting will be held on the 25th September.

Hull University’s Neighbourhood beat officer, PC Carl Palmer said: “At the beginning of a new university year we are aware that for many students, their own safety and the security of their property may not be a priority.

“Often students are away from home for the first time. They have lots of things to do for their university courses as well as the obvious going out, meeting friends, and socialising.

“We want to reassure students, and their families, that our Community Policing Teams and Community Safety volunteers are here to help, to offer advice and assist wherever and whenever we can.”

Hull University Union President, Osaro Otobo, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Humberside Police to deliver these vital messages to everyone who will be joining us for the first time, and coming back to us again this year.

“Both the city and the university are wonderful places to study and live and we want to ensure that people are safe and feel safe. We want everyone who may have any concerns to follow and remember the advice, so their time with us is as enjoyable as possible.”

Humberside Police will be very active on social media over the next couple of weeks. Students and parents have been encouraged to follow them on @Humberbeat and also the university and union on @UniOfHull 

#WelcomeFest