'Enjoy our county but stay safe' - what we’re doing to keep students safe in Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire Police is working together with our partners to ensure new students are equipped with the information they need to stay safe and enjoy their stay in the county.

Students from all corners of the UK will be descending on Lincoln over the coming days as they take their first steps into the world of higher education.

Meeting new people, forging new relationships, and living with new friends is part and parcel of the student experience.

We want students to savour their time in Lincolnshire and experience everything our great county has to offer - but we want to make sure they are armed with the knowledge they need to stay safe.

Students will receive a range of helpful information and tips as part of a larger package of learning delivered by the force and our partners in education and local government.

PC Mark Wrigley, who works closely with the University of Lincoln, will be supporting the moving in weekend and promoting student safety over two days during the week.

This will include information on spiking, burglaries, consent and more.

Additional officers will patrol the city and support Lincoln’s newly appointed street wardens and volunteer street pastors to protect people and prevent crime.

Our message to students is a simple one – if you see police out in the evening, this is completely normal and we’re there to ensure you can enjoy your night safely.

Superintendent Phil Baker said: “Welcome to Lincoln, having settled here following my own studies in the city, it has certainly grown to be the vibrant and safe place you will experience today.

“There are a number of things you can do to help maintain Lincoln as a great place to study and live; throughout this week there will be advice sent out to ensure your experience of life in the city is a really positive one.

“Please work with us to help keep you safe, as we work with the university, the city council and other partners to make your experience of the city a really memorable and enjoyable experience.”

PC Wrigley said: “Students are a huge part of Lincon’s population and it’s really important that we engage with them to make them feel safe and equip them with the right knowledge.

“Lincolnshire Police has been working in partnership with the University of Lincoln, and other partners in the county, for some time and it’s proven extremely beneficial.

“We’ll be providing students with safety advice around burglary, drug awareness, spiking and more throughout Freshers’ Week.

“We want to welcome our newest residents and want them to enjoy themselves as much as they can, we just want them to do it safely.”

Julie Spencer, Head of Student Wellbeing/ Deputy Director of Student Services, said: “As the new academic year begins, Student Wellbeing are excited to work in collaboration with Lincoln Students' Union and Lincolnshire Police.

"We know there are many social events where alcohol may be present and while we encourage our students to enjoy their time at university, it’s crucial to promote responsible drinking habits.

“The Students' Union and Student Wellbeing continually work towards creating a safer and more supportive community for our students.”

 

Spiking – everything you need to know

Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge.

People can also be a victim of ‘needle spiking’, which is injecting someone with drugs without their consent.

Spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere and can be carried out by strangers or people you know.

Spiking someone could be a number of criminal offences, which can carry sentences of up to ten years in prison; even when no other offence, like theft or assault, has happened.

More information can be found here - https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/spiking/spiking/

 

Do you #GetConsent?

The #GetConsent campaign is in partnership with Rape Crisis, Victim Support, Spring Lodge, the University of Lincoln and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). 

We aim to engage on the importance of being 100% clear on consent and the need for each person to have freedom and capacity to agree to sexual activity. 

For more information visit - https://www.lincs.police.uk/police-forces/lincolnshire-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/do-you-get-consent/

 

StreetSafe: tell us where you don't feel safe

StreetSafe is a national service for anyone to anonymously tell us about public places where they have felt unsafe and the reason for it, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings, vandalism, being followed or verbally abused.

It’s part of the government’s agenda to tackle violence against women and girls, although it’s open to anyone to use.

Previously, people were required to go on the website, but now there is an app to download too.

For more information visit - https://www.lincs.police.uk/news/lincolnshire/news/2022/may-2022/streetsafe/

 

You're right, that's wrong

The ‘You’re right, that’s wrong’ campaign calls on men to act when they see or hear public place harassment towards women or misogynistic attitudes.

One of the most powerful ways to change someone’s behaviour is through their own friendship groups. So the campaign asks men to consider when a friend’s actions cross the line.  Whether it’s catcalling, not leaving a woman alone when she’s said no, or making disrespectful jokes; these behaviours cause real harm. Left unchallenged, the behaviour and situation can escalate.

For more information visit - https://www.lincs.police.uk/news/lincolnshire/news/2023/mar-2023/youre-right-thats-wrong/

 

Beating burglary together: keep yourself and your property safe

Through this initiative, we aim to enlist the support of the people of Lincolnshire in “beating burglary together”. We know that areas with a high student population can be at greater risk of burglary, so students are a focus for the campaign.

Our aim is to enhance trust and confidence in our service and build a more informed understanding of who is at risk of burglary and what can be done to reduce that risk. For students, this means providing advice to lock it, mark it, keep it, with information on crime prevention and registering property using Immobilise. 

For more information about our burglary campaign, visit - https://www.lincs.police.uk/news/lincolnshire/news/2023/jun-2023/beating-burglary-together-campaign-launch/

 

Ask for Angela

Ask for Angela is a not-for-profit scheme that aims to ensure that anyone who is feeling vulnerable or unsafe is able to get the support they need.

This could be on a night out, on a date, meeting friends and other situations.

The scheme works by training staff in vulnerability management and what to do when someone Asks for Angela.

The trained member of staff will understand the person asking is in need of help and support and will be able to respond in an appropriate, discreet way.

They might call security, lead the person to a safe space, or help them leave the premises unnoticed.

For more information - https://askforangela.co.uk/