6 tips to staying safe on and around UCL campus

UCL has 24/7 security cover. In today's article, UCL’s Crime Prevention and Personal Advisor is here to lend their expertise and give you their top 6 tips to staying safe on and around campus.

UCL is a safe university and does not have a high crime rate, however crime can occur as we are based in central London making parts of the university open to the public. Crimes in and around the campus tend to involve unattended valuables including phones, laptops, bags, and bicycles.

Here are some tips to prevent you becoming a victim of crime on campus:

Prevent becoming a victim of crime on campus

1. Keep your valuables with you at all times at UCL. If you are studying in the library and you need to leave your study space (even for a few minutes), take your laptop with you or if you are with a friend ask them to keep an eye on your things.
2. Register your belongings. You can register your property for free with immobilise, which is useful not only for phones but also for laptops, tablets, and bikes.
3. Always trust your gut instinct. If you see anything or anyone suspicious or get a bad feeling, tell someone. Report it to campus security. You will see us everywhere! :)
4. Don’t get distracted. We have had incidents where thieves have entered our cafes and bars before, using the pretence of asking for directions or help from students, then taking the students phone without them noticing. If someone you don’t know approaches you, get into the simple habit of putting your phone away to keep it safe.
5. Keep your bike safe on campus. We recommend using two locks - a D lock and a chain lock lock. Please use the official bike racks across the campus, they are covered by CCTV so more secure than racks off campus. It is always a good idea to get your bike security marked at BikeRegister.com.
6. Carry your ID with you at all times and do not lend it to anyone else.