Tips for new students this Freshers' Week

We want to encourage you to get to know your new area. You’re in a new place with new people, so need to know your surroundings.

Start with your halls – make sure you know where to find the laundry room, your reception, friend’s flat, lecture theatres and so on. Then move on to your wider surroundings.

Think about how you can get into town for a night out, and work out how’ll you’ll get back to your halls.

Here’s some tips to help you stay safe as you settle in:

• Put a postcode on all your valuables with a security pen and keep them out of sight of windows.
• Don’t leave notes on the door saying “I’m out – back in half an hour” or similar. They’re an open invitation to thieves.
• Only leave your ground floor windows open when you are in the room, shut them whenever you leave, even if it is only to go to the bathroom or kitchen.
• Only let people you know into your flat using the intercom. If someone wants to see a flatmate, you should get the flatmate to speak to the person at the door because it is up to them if they want to let them in.
• If you’re heading out, tell someone where you're going, and when they can expect you back. Maybe send a text to let them know you got there.

For more personal safety advice, visit our website for tips to keep you safe while you’re in Derbyshire Personal safety: how to stay safe | Derbyshire Constabulary

Keep an eye out over the rest of the week for more of our safety messages.