It’s that time of the year… We're saying goodbye to summer and the nights are getting longer! Leeds is a safe city and it's a wonderful place to live but it’s important that you know how to stay safe as the nights get darker. Here are our top tips:

• Stay in well-lit areas: Stick to main roads or paths and stay away from parks and alleyways at night
• Stay Alert: Avoid distractions on your phone, keep headphones out or on transparency mode
• Stay together: If possible try and go to your destinations with friends or…
• Inform people of your route and where you're going
• Download the WalkSafe app

When going out: 

• Make use of the Veezu Student Safe Ride Scheme
• Have a going home plan prior to going out - check public transport options and timings
• Stay in groups and don't split up
• Check in with anyone who may have left the group with someone else
• Don't accept a free ride from a stranger - you never know their intention

There are many schemes and initiatives to make Leeds a safer city for students and citizens, like Street Angels Leeds, Women Friendly Leeds and Ask For Angela venues. All door staff are also linked to other businesses and police via BACIL (Businesses against crime in Leeds). The Hive at Leeds Beckett Students' Union is a ''Ask For Angela'' participating venue so if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe in our spaces, ask for Angela to get discreet help.

On this page, you can also read additional information and advice around staying safe on your nights out and in your community. The university's accommodation team has also prepared this guide to keeping your home secure. Voodoo Events, our official nightlife partner, also has a useful guide on safer clubbing in Leeds that you can read here.

You'll also want to make your home a bit safer! Nearly half of burglaries in the traditional student areas are ‘walk in’ crimes where the intruder gets in through a door or window that has been left open. Shut and lock doors and windows even when you are in another room. Here are some more tips:

• Shut easily accessible windows when you are out of the room
• Lock the external door even when you are at home
• Resist having an ‘open house’ where people (even your friends!) can wander in and out freely
• Don’t let anyone follow you in and don’t open doors to people you don’t know
• Report any outside lights that aren’t working
• Always lock your car and fit a quality immobiliser and alarm
• Take your keys and valuables upstairs to bed
   

Have fun and stay safe out there!