Bristol School of Self Defence - Advice for Students

As a student, you make up one of over 60,000 in the Avon & Somerset area,
making you a significant section within the community.

Your time at University in the South West will no doubt be full of fun and
frolics - but unfortunately there are still people who see you as vulnerable.
Every year students are being either assaulted or robbed, or suffering from
burglary or car theft.

Often these crimes could have been avoided if the victims had been more
aware of the risks, and tactics for cutting down those risks significantly.

Research carried out within the area recently showed robbery on young
men - particularly within the Stokes Croft area of Bristol (near the Lakota
and Blue Mountain nightclubs) - to be on the increase.

In over half the cases the men were students who had just obtained money
from a cash machine. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in groups
whenever possible. It is better to spend £5.00 taking a taxi home than it is to walk and have your wallet nicked.

Cars are targeted by thieves, particularly those with any items left on display.

Whilst you may not leave lap-tops, mobiles or wallets/purses on display, an old coat or bag could just as easily contain them, or worse your dissertation. Operate a "clean car policy" - put everything out of sight. Make sure there is nothing that makes your car's contents look more attractive than any of the others in the area - a thief only has seconds to make a decision.

Shut it, lock it, mark it, keep it

Every year students in halls of residence and rented accommodation suffer from burglaries because thieves see your homes as easy pickings. This is usually because security is poor and each person tends to have their own TV/video, stereo and/or computer - turning your home into an Aladdin's cave.

Mark your property, using an ultra violet marker pen, with your accommodation postcode and Student ID Number to reduce its value to the thief.

Advice provided by Avon & Somerset Police