Hiya! Just a quick reminder to all students to take care when walking after dark. Students are far more vulnerable after dark and a much easier target after hours than during daylight hours. There have been a number of reports in recent weeks which mean extra care is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.

We have personal alarms available from our offices on the third floor of Union House which are free and one way to help you feel safer when walking after dark. If you have any concerns please come and speak to any of the officers and they will be more than happy to try and assist you.

Make sure your keys are accessible so you can get into your house quickly without having to faf for ages at the door. As well as this make sure someone knows your travel plan, so if something does go wrong - someone knows to try and contact you or a friend/housemate.

Try not to go out alone, and although it’s tempting to talk on the phone or listen to music if you are alone – don’t – it’s just distracting you and makes it easier for you to be attacked.

Being paranoid is not necessarily a bad thing, it usually means you’re paying attention.

And finally, use your common sense and don’t be stupid. Don’t put yourself in any unnecessary danger and if there is a particularly unsafe road or part of your walk that you know of – always go around and use roads that other walkers and runners are likely to be on.

Basically, just take care. Walking down an unlit, quiet road may take two minutes off your journey, but you really have to ask yourself whether it’s really that worth it (it's not) :)

Below is a photo of a human dressed as a panda carrying a real panda. I'm not distracting from the real subject, it's just a serious subject so here's a panda to cheer you up.