Student News

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· By

Student news team

Top tips for keeping your phone and bike safe on campus

Our Campus Support and Security team had a busy welcome introducing themselves to students and handing out safety advice. They also offered the chance to win a bike, and the lucky winner, Ming Chen collected their prize last week!

But their work isn’t just during Welcome – they are here all year round to support you and to help keep our campus safe.  

We know many of you are concerned about keeping your phones and bikes safe on campus, so the team has put together some top tips to help:

Look after your phone

  • Know your IMEI number: Make a note of your personal IMEI number (type *#06# on your phone’s keypad to get it). This number cannot be altered or deleted by the thief. If you have the IMEI number you can block your phone being used if it is stolen.
  • Use security features on devices: Enable tracking apps like Find My iPhone or Find My Device to help locate your phone if it’s lost or stolen
  • Keep your phone secure: If you need to use your phone in public, hold it close to you and be mindful of who is around. Try and use hands-free options when you can.
  • Stay alert: Avoid walking while using your phone. Looking at your screen can make you less aware of your surroundings and your phone an easy target.
  • Keep clear of the curb: Thieves on bikes or scooters can easily snatch phones from people standing near the edge of the pavement. Stay back from the curb while using your phone.
  • Zip up your pockets: If you pop your phone (or anything valuable) in a pocket – if you can, use one with a zip or an inside one. If that’s not possible think about keeping your hands in there too.

Keep your bike safe

  • Always secure your bike with a ‘D’ lock: Cable locks are really ineffective – and offer little real protection for your bike. The University offers subsidised gold-standard ‘D’ locks for £15 at bike marking sessions. Find out when the next one is.

Remember, you can contact the Campus Support and Security team in an emergency or if you need medical assistance through the Safezone app or call them on the number on the back of your ID card.