As half a million students in Scotland start to settle into University and College life, with thousands leaving home for the first time, they are entering an exciting period of their lives.
Police Scotland is delivering vital safety advice to students at Freshers’ Weeks around the country as part of the Student Safety Campaign, which is being launched today (5 September 2017).
The campaign provides tips on how to enjoy student life while avoiding potential dangers, and covers advice on home and property security, Online Safety, Party Safety, Identity Safety, Water Safety and Illicit Trade.
Students are encouraged to think about how secure their accommodation is, and giving useful tips on how best to prevent their home being targeted by thieves.
Students are also being reminded to record details of all valuables, such as laptops, phones etc which can be logged into www.immobilise.com, so if they do experience a theft and the police recover the items, they can be returned to the owner.
With social media being a large part of a student’s life, there’s useful advice reminding students that “what goes online stays online” and not to leave themselves open to criminal charges or vulnerable to blackmail.
Sometimes the image of student life is of continuous partying, so guidance is given that when socialising stay safe by sticking with friends, don’t leave drinks unattended and always tell friends where you are going if you’re leaving with someone else.
Drugs and other unknown substances may be offered during time as a student and you may find these tempting. However the devastating effects of drugs on individuals and their family and friends is well documented. You have no way of knowing what is in any one substance and no two are the same, there is simply no safe way to take drugs, don’t risk your life or a bright future.
For more information visit www.young.scot/choices-for-life and www.knowthescore.info
Chief Inspector Scott Tees, Safer Communities, said: “For many, becoming a student can be a life changing and life enhancing experience – that’s why Police Scotland wants to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time during your studies. Our campaign is to raise awareness on how you and your friends can stay safe throughout student life.
We would ask that students take a few minutes to download our Police Scotland Student safety guide which contains useful tips on how to stay safe, whether that’s on campus, at home or socialising both on and offline.”Inspector David Happs, Edinburgh Division, said: “Student life is a life changing and life enhancing time for every student. Police Scotland want you to remember your time as a student for all the right reasons and I would encourage every student to take a few minutes to read our advice and think about how to protect your property and stay safe both whilst out socialising and online.”
PC David Clark, Student Liaison officer, said: “University and College life has a big impact on the students’ lives. By providing this advice we want them to make the most of it and enjoy student life, safely.”
There is also lots of advice on the Police Scotland Facebook and twitter accounts and follow #StudentLife for more advice.
All the advice can be found HERE
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