Staying safe this festive season

Trigger warning: this message contains references to spiking and sexual assault.  

As the evenings draw in and the days grow shorter, it is tempting to stay home and hibernate. However, London is full of wonderful winter activities and if you’re staying in the city over winter closure it is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy yourself!  

Are you staying on campus over the winter break? 

The Student Centre will remain open 24/7 throughout the winter break, including on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

Find out more about our winter opening hours 

Staying safe on campus 

Emergency security support
Download the SafeZone app which allows you to contact UCL Security and request emergency assistance at the touch of a button at any time of day.  

• If you raise an alert off campus, we will inform emergency services on your behalf and share your location.  

Download the app and register with your UCL email address: 

Download from a Google device

Download from a Apple device

Call +44 (0)20 7679 2222 (Bloomsbury Campus). 
Call +44 (0)208 0168 555 (UCL East).  

Non-emergency security support on campus 
Call +44 (0)20 7679 2108 (Bloomsbury Campus). 

Public Services  
Most TfL services will operate over Christmas and New Year, however, no services will be running on Christmas Day. 
Find more travel advice for Christmas and New Year on the TfL website. 

Are you going home for the break? 

We know that not every student looks forward to going home. This can be because of many reasons, and it is okay to feel that way.  

Read these top tips from Student Space about managing your feelings about going back home.  

How can you stay aware of your surroundings in London? 

• Guard your phone: Phone snatching is a common crime, especially in areas like Gordon Street, Gower Street, and transport hubs. Always stay alert when using your phone in public. You can find more tips in our recent article on phone snatching
   
• Try to walk in pairs or groups and avoid walking alone at night. Plan to travel with friends or use well-lit, busy routes.  
   
• Don’t leave personal items unattended, whether in public places, or on campus at cafes, and libraries.

What should you know about avoiding fraud and scams? 

Only pay tuition fees via the Flywire portal to make sure your transactions are safe.  

We will never contact you about tuition fees from a non-UCL email address. And if you are ever unsure about the authenticity of an email please log an enquiry with askUCL.  

Want more tips? Read our recent article on how to avoid, spot, and report scams targeting students. 

How can you stay safe on a night out?

It is never your fault if you have been spiked on a night out. UCL wants to support you if you have been a victim of spiking or sexual misconduct on a night out.  

Talk to trusted advisors from our SSWS team

There are practical steps you can take to keep yourself safe while also having fun on a night out.  

• Never leave your drink unattended. You can also become an Active Bystander with our training offered by the Students’ Union.
   
• Don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know or that hasn’t been prepared in front of you.  
   
• If you’re in a venue run by Student’s Union UCL, you can ask for help discreetly, with the ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative where you ask for Angela at the bar and staff will understand that you are asking for help. Many venues are now part of the ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative. 
   
• Stick together with friends and look out for each other.  
   
• Agree with your friends that you’ll let each other know when you get home safely. 

For more guidance read our article on what to do if you think you or a friend has been spiked. 

What can you do if you experience or witness misconduct? 

• Use UCL’s Report + Support tool to report incidents of bullying, harassment, or sexual misconduct, either anonymously or with your contact details. 
   
• Our Student Support and Wellbeing Services team offers free, confidential services to help you navigate difficult experiences. All our support services are free of charge and open to students of all levels. 

For 24/7 support, you can call our Support Line on +44 (0)808 238 0077 to speak with an adviser. 

Find out about our winter break support and services. 

This includes information on disability and mental health services, support on and off campus and other academic, financial and welfare support. 

Other Contacts for emergency and non-emergency support 

• For crisis support, please see our emergency contacts and UCL 24/7 Student Support Line by phone on +44 (0) 808 238 0077.  
• UCL East campus is covered by the Newham Mental Health Crisis Line, and their 24/7 support line is 0800 073 0066.  For other locations, find your local urgent mental health helpline via the NHS Finder and putting in your postcode.  
• Samaritans offers a 24-hour confidential emotional support service, by phone 116 123. You can find similar listening and support services wherever you are in the world through the Befrienders Worldwide network. 
• Nightline are a listening service for students, by students - they're available overnight on 020 7631 0101 
• Please also refer to the urgent and out of hours mental health support webpage.