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Student Safety

STUDENT SAFETY AT QUEEN’S

Your Safety Matters

At Queen’s, your safety and wellbeing are a priority. Whether you are new to Belfast or returning for another year, we want you to feel confident, informed and supported — on campus, at home, and out in the city. This page brings together practical advice, University support services, and key information to help keep you safe.

  • Personal Safety

    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.
  • Reporting Crime or Suspicious Behaviour

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

    • 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.

  • Getting Home Safely

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

    • Use licensed taxis or public transport.
    • Travel with friends wherever possible.
    • If you feel vulnerable, the SOS Bus can provide help and a safe route home.
  • Burglary Prevention & Property Security

    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.
  • Bike & Vehicle Safety

    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.
  • Night Out Safety & Spiking Prevention Queen’s & PSNI Drink Check Initiative

    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 Ask for Angela — 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.
  • Drugs, Alcohol & Harm Reduction
  • Scams & Online Safety

    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 Advice SU.

  • Fire Safety
    • 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.
  • Healthy Relationships & Safe Sex

    SU Sexual Health Clinic (Free)

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

    • STI testing
    • Contraceptive advice
    • Condoms & emergency contraception

    More support available via:

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