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Simple habits make a big difference when it comes to staying safe:

• Plan your route before you head out and stick to well-lit, busy areas.
• Let a friend know where you’re going and when you expect to be home.
• Try not to walk alone late at night — stay with friends when you can.
• Use Hollie Guard, a free personal safety app that shares your location with trusted contacts.
• Free personal attack alarms are available at the One Elmwood reception while stocks last.
• If something doesn’t feel right — trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation.

If the PSNI don’t know — they can’t help. For further student safety information from the PSNI, please click . 

• 999 — emergencies
• 101 — non-emergencies
• Crimestoppers (anonymous): 0800 555 111
• Help-In-Hand App — report hate incidents confidentially

Every report helps build a clearer picture and prevents more crime.

Your journey home is just as important as your night out:

• Use licensed taxis or
• Free late-night shuttle service running until 30th April 2026.
• Travel with friends wherever possible.
• If you feel vulnerable, the  can provide help and a safe route home.

Most student burglaries are opportunistic and preventable. Protect your home by:

• Locking doors and windows — even if you’re away briefly.
• Keeping valuables out of sight and taking them home during holiday periods.
• Using timer switches to make your home appear occupied.
• Registering valuables on a property marking database.
• Considering internal door locks and ensuring alarms are used where provided.
• Neighbourhood Engagement has distributed 300+ personal safety kits, 400 free panic alarms, and burglary alarms to students living off campus.

Belfast is a bike-friendly city — but thefts do happen.

• Use a Gold-rated D-lock and secure your bike to designated stands.
• Never leave bikes in rear alleys or communal stairwells.
• Keep valuables out of sight in cars — even chargers or bags.
• Always lock your vehicle.
• Look out for “We Are Watching You” deterrent posters in hotspot areas around campus.

Queen’s has partnered with the PSNI to deliver a city-wide drink spiking prevention scheme.
33 bars and clubs across Belfast now offer drink-testing strips onsite, including:

• Queen’s Students’ Union Bar
• The Botanic Inn
• Hatfield House
• Limelight
• Lux
• Bootleggers
• The Duke of York
• Haymarket
• White’s Tavern
• Dirty Onion
• The Crown
• The Maverick
  …and many more.

If you think your drink has been tampered with:

• Tell venue staff immediately.
• Staff can test your drink using the Drink Check kit.
• A positive test triggers a PSNI response and CCTV review.

Many venues also use  — a discreet way to seek help if you feel unsafe.

General Spiking Prevention Tips

• Never leave drinks unattended.
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers.
• Keep an eye on your friends’ drinks.
• If symptoms appear suddenly — confusion, dizziness, sudden intoxication — tell staff or a trusted friend immediately.

• Drinking can lower inhibitions, affect judgment and increase risk-taking.
• The UK recommendation is , spread out.
• Using a  can help track your intake.
• Student Wellbeing provides advice on alcohol, drugs and harm reduction.

Students across the UK are frequently targeted by online scams.

Watch out for:

• Fake job offers, rental scams, or requests for deposits.
• Messages claiming to be from banks, police, or government agencies.
• Anyone pressuring you for personal details or money.

If something feels suspicious — it probably is.
Report it, block it, and talk to Neighbourhood Engagement or .

• Ensure your accommodation has working smoke alarms — never cover them.
• Avoid cooking or using open flames when tired or under the influence.
• In Northern Ireland, 80% of fatal house fires involve alcohol or drugs.
• Tampering with fire safety equipment in University accommodation may result in fines.

• Alcohol can impact judgement — always ensure consent is clear, mutual, and ongoing.
• Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
• If you experience sexual misconduct, speak with a Safe and Healthy Relationships Advocate via .

Mondays (term-time), 10am–3pm
3rd Floor, Students' Union
Services include:

• STI testing
• Contraceptive advice
• Condoms & emergency contraception

More support available via:

•  (free home STI kits)
•  (under-25 sexual health services)

Being part of the Belfast community means:

• Respecting neighbours and local residents.
• Keeping noise to a minimum, especially late at night.
• Disposing of waste properly.
• Working together to keep local areas clean, safe, and welcoming.

Good community relationships help keep everyone safe.

You are never on your own. Queen’s works closely with the PSNI, Belfast City Council, Â鶹Íø SU, SOS Bus, Ulster University and community partners to keep students safe.

On-campus support includes:

• Neighbourhood Engagement
• Campus Security
• Residential Assistants
• Student Wellbeing Services