Security and Safety Advice and Guidance

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Security and Safety Advice and Guidance

• EFMS Security Department
• University Security Manager

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Introduction

• The Home office has reported that students
  own more expensive consumer goods per head than
  the rest of the population. The Home office has
  also mentioned that it is believed that between 1
  in 3 students may become a victim of a crime each
  year and in general young people (16 24 years)
  are more vulnerable.
• We do not want you to be a victim of crime and
  by raising your awareness and following these
  simple guidelines we can make sure that you enjoy
  living and studying in London safely.
• For further safety advice or to obtain
  further information regarding crime statistics
  please visit the website below or make contact
  with a member of the University Estates
  Facilities Management Services security team .
• http//www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/how-you
  -can-prevent-crime/student-safety/

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Middlesex University Security Team For further
advice contact

• Paul Manning, University Security Manager
  Paul33_at_mdx.ac.uk
• Nick Wise, University Deputy Security Manager
  Nick10_at_mdx.ac.uk
• Enda Brennan, Security Operations Manager
  Enda1_at_mdx.ac.uk
• Jamie Steed, Security Systems Supervisor
  Jamie2_at_mdx.ac.uk

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Topics Covered

• Top safety tips
• Electrical and Fire Safety
• Fire safety (Campus, halls, private residence)
• Robbery and Theft
• Burglary
• Withdrawing Cash
• Out at Night
• Drink Spiking
• Public Transport
• Cabs
• Disease and Illness
• Illegal drugs
• Vigilance
• Road Safety
• Emergencies
• Support contact numbers
• Useful contact numbers
• Middlesex University security Contacts

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Top Safety Tips

• Many burglaries happen when a door or window has
  been left open (it takes a second) whether in
  an office, halls or house/flat lock up!
• In a hall of residence, be careful who you let in
  or who follows you into the building - lock your
  bedroom door even if you are only going down the
  corridor
• Robbers are after an easy target - walk in groups
  at night, travel by taxi or stay over with
  friends, your safety is worth more than the cab
  fare home!
• If possible, use cash-machines during the day -
  put your card and cash away and be vigilant -
  never write down or disclose your PIN number
• Keep cards and chequebooks separate - note down
  your card details so you can cancel them quickly
• Always lock your car and put valuables out of
  sight - never leave the keys in the ignition even
  when paying for petrol
• After a night out, arrange to go home with
  friends, or licensed mini cab or taxi
• To prevent spiking, never leave drinks unattended
• Be vigilant when using your mobile phone - if
  your phone is stolen, call your network or 08701
  123 123 to immobilise it
• Protect yourself with insurance - keep lists of
  the make, model and serial numbers of your
  electronic items to help police track them down
  if they are stolen
• Students mark your property with the initials of
  Middlesex University and your student ID number
  (e.g.. MU 000777777) this makes it harder for a
  burglar to sell stolen goods and can help the
  police to return items to you. Staff should mark
  items with their initials and post code

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Electrical Fire safety in Rooms

•  Dangerous electrical appliances or damaged
  sockets can cause fire or serious injury.
• What are the warning signs unsafe electrical
  appliances?
•  
• Check for broken plug sockets
• Check for exposed wiring
• Check for loose Switches
• Check for sparks or smoke from electrical
  appliances
• If the appliance, plug or cables feel hot or
  smell then turn off and unplug
• Fuses that continually blow think! There must a
  cause, do not use
• Plugs that get hot when used, do not use obtain
  advice
• Dont overloading plug sockets
• Use portable heaters in a safe way, keep away
  from inflammable material
•  
• Dos and Donts Fire safety in rooms!
•  
• Do not Smoke in bed
• 20 of fires are caused by candles. Dont use
  candles in rooms, if you do then it could lead
  to your eviction from Halls
• Do not tamper with smoke alarms (including
  covering them up)

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Fire Safety while on Campus and in halls

• If you discover a fire, raise the alarm at once
  by
• Sounding the nearest fire alarm (break glass call
  point)
• Leave the building immediately and report to the
  duty officer or security when outside
• On hearing the fire alarm
• Leave the building quickly and calmly by the
  nearest exit
• Do not stop to collect personal belongings
• Do not use lifts
• If an exit is found blocked use an alternative
  route
• When clear of the building report to your
  assembly point
• Do not obstruct access points. Routes must be
  kept clear for emergency vehicles/personnel
• Do not re-enter buildings until duty
  officer/senior fire officer gives all clear
• It is an offence for improper use of a break
  glass. Any person found smashing a break glass
  for fun/to panic or cause distress will be
  identified and details passed to the police.
  Every false activation means the emergency
  services are called away from a situation that
  could be life threatening.
• Do not be afraid to use the break glass call
  point if you see or suspect there to be a fire
  within a building
• Further advice

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Robbery and Theft

• Keep your personal belongings with you
• Do not display valuables
• Do not count money in public
• Do not use maps in public specially in the city
• Keep personal details private, i.e. pin numbers,
  passwords
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Plan routes/transport in advance
• If robbed, hand over items - dont fight back
• Avoid using mobile phones alone in public places
• If your phone is stolen, call your network or
  08701 123 123 to immobilise it. Make a note of
  your serial number by dialling 06.
• Walk on the pavement towards traffic
• If you think you are being followed seek help at
  shops, petrol stations, somewhere open to the
  public

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Burglary

• Double check you have locked up properly
• Avoid letting in strangers always check
  identification cards, if in doubt phone their
  headquarters. If they are legitimate they will
  not object to waiting while you do so
• Keep your mobile in your bedroom at night
• Don't leave car or house keys near windows or
  letter boxes
• If possible use a timer for lights when not at
  home
• Close curtains/blinds when out of the
  house/flat/halls room or office
• Office staff use a clear desk policy
• Houses/flats purchase alarms, security lighting
• Windows /patio doors add extra locks
• Keep to hand a record of valuables and their
  descriptions/serial numbers
• Join and encourage others to join a neighbourhood
  watch scheme

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Using your Cash Card

• Be vigilant of your surroundings
• Keep details private never divulge passwords or
  card pin numbers (cover keypad when entering
  details
• Check for hidden devices on cash machines
• Do not get distracted when using your card
• Avoid taking large amounts out of a machine in
  one go
• Use your card during the day rather than at night
• Keep a record of when you use your card, how
  much, when and where
• Check your statements properly
• Do not let your card out of sight when using it
  in shops, restaurants even petrol stations
• Always cross shred any statements, bills, bank
  cards anything where your personal information
  can be obtained

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Out at Night

• Plan your route there and back
• Avoid travelling alone
• Keep in well lit areas
• Plan and keep to meeting arrangements
• Remain with your friends, check on each other
• Only use licensed mini cabs or taxis
• Never leave drinks unattended
• Never accept drinks from strangers
• Do not bring strangers back to the halls or your
  house/flat
• Attempt to ensure someone knows where you are
  going and expected time home

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Drink Spiking

• These tips are not just for women
• Appoint a drinks watcher
• Never leave your drink unattended
• If for whatever reason you have to leave your
  drink unattended, do not go back to it
• Do not accept drinks from strangers
• Drugs can be tasteless and odourless and takes
  less than a second to be put into your drink
• Watch out for each other
• If your drink tastes different throw away
• If you start to feel ill, inform your friends or
  an appropriate person
• If a friend becomes ill for whatever reason do
  not allow them to make their own way home, look
  out for another, take them home!

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Public Transport

• Always pre-plan your route
• Avoid waiting alone
• Always sit downstairs near to the driver when
  travelling on a bus alone
• Avoid getting on empty tube /train carriages
• Keep your belongings in view at all times
• If you find a situation starting to occur make
  contact with the driver (bus) pull the emergency
  handle on the tube or train
• When using the night bus, attempt to travel with
  friends rather than alone, always sit downstairs
• Try not to fall asleep when you use London
  transport, taxi or cab when travelling alone day
  or night

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Cabs

• Always use only licensed mini cabs/ black taxis
• Keep a cab number on you
• When booking a cab or taxi always obtain an
  estimate and remember who you spoke to, ensure
  you have enough funds to pay before starting the
  journey
• Ensure a friend or relative are aware of your
  estimated time of arrival, ring them when in the
  cab if you can.
• Check drivers ID before you get into a cab if
  you feel unsure about him/her dont get in.
• Sit directly behind the driver if your alone,
  remain alert, watch your route/traffic signs
• Ask driver to wait until you are inside before
  he/she leaves the area

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Disease and Illness

• Dont use Illegal drugs
• Avoid handling syringes or needles
• Avoid taking unknown substances
• If you feel stressed, cant cope, seek help from
  a councillor (Middlesex can help you to do this)
• Check food and drink sell by dates
• Follow instructions for re-heating food, if
  unsure throw away
• If you are unwell i.e. cold/flu, remain at home,
  take plenty of fluids, contact your GP. Dont
  come in to University spreading the germ. Ensure
  friends, lecturer are aware
• Set up a flu friend (when one gets sick the other
  supports) buddy buddy system
• Always practice safe sex

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Illegal Drugs

• Just Say No

• Drugs mess up your mind
• Drugs mess up your body
• Drugs are a waste of money
• Drugs are addictive
• Drugs can kill you
• Drugs pay for other criminal activity
• There is a zero tolerance policy on drugs on
  university or halls premises
• Are these not enough reasons? Visit the site
  below and read for yourself what drugs actually
  do to you
• http//www.saynotodrugs.org.uk/Drug-Facts

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Vigilance

• Do not touch suspect packages, ensure you inform
  a responsible person i.e. bus driver, security,
  caretakers, police
• Report anything you notice such as, type of
  package, bag, its location, and at what time you
  noticed it, whether anyone was in the area and
  their description
• Suspicious person. As with packages same
  information may be helpful to police or security
• Remember You have noticed something for a reason!

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Road Safety

• Cross at a safe place
• Be vigilant for road signs and road works
• Keep to pavements and footpaths
• Try to walk on pavement towards oncoming traffic
• Be vigilant, remember a driver may not be aware
  of you!
• Check! And double check both ways before
  crossing, watch out for cyclists and motorbike
  riders
• Just because a road may be marked as one way does
  not mean a vehicle may follow this rule! Look
  both ways before crossing

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Emergencies

• In emergency call 999
• Police, ambulance, fire brigade coastguard
• Do not call if unnecessary
• Prank callers will be prosecuted
• Keep calm when talking to the operator
• Answer operators questions in a calm voice, the
  more information you can give the better the
  response
• If you dont know the address of the incident
  look for landmarks, such as tube/train stations,
  petrol stations, pubs, schools, shops, churches
  etc
• For non emergencies
• contact your local police station. Security on
  campus have local contact details, or report the
  crime via the net https//online.met.police.uk

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Support Contact Information
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Useful Contact Numbers

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Middlesex University Security Contacts

• To report a crime / suspicious activity on
  campus or any other type of emergency contact the
  Universitys
• Campuswatch 24hr control room 0208 411 6200
• For non emergency situations including
  safety or general advice about the campus you can
  contact security based on each campus via the
  numbers below
• Cat Hill, 0208 411 6491 (based in the Peter
  Green building)
• Hendon, 0208 411 4329 (based within the
  Quadrangle)
• Trent Park, 0208 411 6171 (based within the Jebb
  Building)

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We hope you Enjoy your time at Middlesex
University

• Always remember that your safety is paramount.
• If you require help/assistance or just advice
  make contact with us, your University Security
  Team

We are here to help