Safety & Security

Contents

1. Emergency numbers
2. SafeZone App
3. Out and about
4. Personal safety alarms
5. Phone SOS features & App
6. At Home
7. Your mobile phone
8. Financial & Online
9. More information

Emergency Numbers

The university has an advice page here which brings together all emergency contact information. 

The key contacts off campus are:

• Emergencies Police/Ambulance: 999
• Non-Emergency Police: 101
• British Transport Police (text): 61016
• Rape Crisis Scotland: 08088 01 03 02 or info@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

         (see also our webpage on sexual violence support)

The key contacts on campus are:

• Gilmorehill Campus   Telephone (0141) 330 4282
• Garscube Campus    Telephone (0141) 330 5799
• In cases of emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) call (0141) 330 4444 (internal extension 4444)
• Campus security by email: security-help@glasgow.ac.uk

Many buildings around campus including the library are staffed by university security personnel. Also security is present in the Gatehouse, Gilmorehill Campus, 24 hours every day. So please remember to report any suspicious incidents to the University Security Service.

SafeZone App

The SafeZone App is an free university run app that is monitored 24 hours a day by the Campus Security team ensuring the safety and security of our students.  This can be used when you are on campus, at halls or anywhere in between.

The app has 3 core contact buttons that you can trigger at any point:

• Blue - general enquiries
• Red - emergencies
• Green - first aid

It also has a yellow wellbeing button to access useful wellbeing resources. 

To find out more, here is some information about how the app works. 

Download the free SafeZone app onto your phone.

Out and about

Never leave your bags, laptop or valuables unattended anywhere on campus — always take them with you even if you are just going for lunch. You may want to consider using a locker at the university to store your belongings whilst on campus. You can see more information on this here. 

Report any lost or stolen cards, including your student ID card, as soon as you find out they are missing.

If at all possible, don’t walk home alone late at night. Arrange in advance to stay with a trusted friend or pre-book a taxi. If not possible and you have to walk, download the Safezone app as highlighted above for added security. 

Never leave drinks unattended in pubs or clubs — when you go to the toilet, ask a friend to keep an eye on your drink. If it is spiked, contact a member of staff or tell a trusted friend.

To ensure that your streets are well lit, please report any faulty lights around campus and beyond to Glasgow City Council.

Personal Safety Alarms

You may wish to purchase a personal alarm online for added security. One option is the ‘Personal Alarm, SLB 3 Pack’, which is Police approved, and can be purchased various places, including Amazon. Students can get a free trial of Amazon Prime for Students, which includes next day delivery on some items. This may be helpful if you want to purchase an alarm as soon as possible.

If you must walk somewhere alone, carry the alarm with you in your hand or in an easily accessible pocket.

Phone SOS Features and Apps

Android phones and iPhones have an SOS feature which can alert your emergency contacts – you can search online on how to activate this on your phone.

Several apps are available for free on phones which can alert your emergency contacts. Many articles highlight the same apps, including SOS Help and bSafe.

At home

Lock your bedroom door — even if you’re only going to the kitchen or bathroom.

Keep your doors locked at all times, and windows locked when you are going out — don’t assume someone else will do it. If your window is open while you are at home, please keep it on a latch or a window restrictor if there is one.

Make a list of your personal property including the serial number and descriptions — use an ultraviolet pen to mark electrical and other items.

Make sure your bike is locked to an immovable object, using a good quality lock — even if it’s in a bike shed at halls. Or have your bike registered. Go to www.bikeregister.com. The University also has a webpage on bike security. You can also have your bike security marked by following this guidance here. 

Avoid putting your name or room number on your keyring — if it is lost or stolen, the thief will have information that could direct them to your home and your property.

Your mobile phone

Keep a record of your phone’s IMEI number (the unique number that is assigned to each phone): if it stolen and later recovered by the police, it can be returned to you. To discover your IMEI number, press the following keys on your phone: *#06#

• If your phone is stolen or lost, report it to the police immediately
• Inform your service provider if your phone is lost/stolen as soon as possible
• Don’t leave your mobile phone unattended- if you must, lock it out of sight

You can also find out how to get personal gadgets such as mobile phones, computers and laptops protected. Please see the Immobilise webpage for more information at https://www.immobilise.com.

Financial and online

Don’t give anyone else access to your bank PIN, internet/online banking passwords, or University login details.

When taking money out of the bank, or paying by Chip & PIN, be aware of other people standing near you, and make sure they can’t see your PIN.

Don’t give out any personal details to strangers who phone or email you claiming to be from your bank — they may be bogus. Your bank will never ask for your PIN or your password over the phone or in an email. If in doubt, hang up and call your bank on the usual phone number.

Don’t answer any emails telling you that you have won a lottery that you haven’t bought a ticket for — these emails are scams, designed to rip you off. Never, ever send these people any money.

You can access some further information on avoiding fraud here. 

More information

For more information about safety, have a look at the Police Scotland Student Safety website .

You might want to consider taking out contents insurance to cover your personal belongings (your landlord’s insurance won’t cover you) — it’s worth shopping around online for a good deal. There is also lots of useful information on the Money Saving Expert website.