The safety and wellbeing of everyone in the Oxford Brookes community is important to us. We’re committed to providing a safe and secure environment in which you can study and thrive.
In this article, we share some advice to help you protect yourself and your belongings as well as contact information for teams who can help you if you feel unsafe or have an emergency.
Ways to protect yourself
It makes sense for everyone to take precautions when out early in the morning or late at night when the streets are quieter, especially now that the nights are getting darker. Our Security Services team advises you to:
- be aware of your surroundings, especially at cash machines and when using your mobile phone in public places
- follow the recommended routes when walking between University sites and halls
- not to carry on you, or display, excessive amounts of cash
- stay in well-lit areas and use a personal safety app, such as Hollie Guard
- not accept lifts from people you don't know and only use pre-booked minicabs or black cabs. Do not use illegal minicabs touting for business. Save the 001 Taxis’ number to your mobile phone - 01865 406087.
- keep a list of emergency contact numbers on your mobile phone.
For more personal safety advice, visit the Brookes Security Services webpages.
Personal safety week - 25-29 October
During Week 6, 25 - 29 October, our Security team will be focusing its activities around personal safety. They will be encouraging students to take care of themselves and look out for each other by using the Hollie Guard app and the recommended routes back to their accommodation.
The team will also be asking students for their feedback on how safe they feel on campus and in the surrounding areas as they return from an evening out. Please give us your views so that we can explore ways to make journeys across the city safer for everyone, by completing the Safer Streets Survey.
Safer Streets
Oxford City Council have recently secured funding to help people feel safe in the city. As part of the Safer Streets campaign to tackle violence against women and girls, we are working in partnership with Oxford City Council on their ‘Safe journey, safe destination’ initiative to explore ways to improve safety in our streets. This includes extra lighting in some areas, trimming back overgrown hedges to clear walkways and additional CCTV, as well as looking into developing safe havens and an app to find safer routes across the city. If you would like to know more or get involved to help us develop our ideas, please let us know by emailing asiret@brookes.ac.uk or you can complete the Safer Streets Survey.
Protect your belongings
Many of our campus spaces are open and accessible around the clock, so please take care of your personal items. You can protect your belongings by following these simple tips:
- never leave your bags or other valuables unattended
- be discreet with your belongings, especially high-value items such as jewellery or electronic devices
- register your valuables with www.immobilise.com
- enable tracking software on your device(s).
For more advice on protecting your belongings, see the Brookes Security Services webpages.
What to do if you feel unsafe or see something suspicious
On campus:
If you notice something suspicious or are feeling unsafe on campus, you can call the Security Services team (Oxford) on 01865 60 3060 (24/7) or Facilities/security (Swindon) on 01865 485100 (campus opening hours) A member of the team will provide advice over the phone or come to your location depending on the situation.
In halls:
For students who live at a Brookes-managed hall of residence the Residences Information Portal has the contact information for staff during office hours and Hall Wardens and security outside of office hours. You can also find this information in the information folders on your flat noticeboard.
Off campus:
If you are in immediate danger or a crime is being committed call 999 to contact Police, Ambulance or Fire Services. For non-emergency incidents you can call the Police on 101 or submit a report online to Thames Valley Police for Oxford or Wiltshire Police for Swindon.
Need help?
On campus
Brookes Security Services - 01865 60 3060 (Oxford campuses only)
Providing 24-hour emergency support: call if you need immediate assistance on and around our campuses. For non-urgent security incidents you can complete an Incident Report.
Facilities/security at Swindon Campus - 01865 485100
If you are based at our Swindon Campus please call the Reception desk for assistance from the Facilities team during campus opening hours.
Brookes-managed halls - Residences Information Portal
Visit the portal to get the contact information for your hall both during office hours and for evenings and weekends.
If you have experienced or witnessed any sexual violence, hate crime or harrassment behaviours involving students, you can report it online with your contact details or anonymously. Our Report & Support pages also have contact details for specialist support services if you need to speak to someone.
Our Wellbeing team is available to provide advice and to support the learning, emotional, physical and spiritual life of the Brookes community. Get in touch with the team if you need support.
Off campus
Emergency services (Police, Ambulance & Fire) - 999 (emergencies only)
If you are in immediate danger or a crime is being committed call 999 to contact Police, Ambulance or Fire Services.
Police (non-emergency incidents) - 101
If you have seen something suspicious or feel unsafe but are not in immediate danger contact the Police by calling 101.