Personal Safety

Your personal safety is important to us so we want you to be made aware of some precautions:

• If you're going out, use a route on the main roads. Try to know your route and the surrounding environment.
• If you are meeting someone then tell them when you expect to arrive. Inform your flatmates of where you're going, and times.
• If you've been drinking, remember that your judgement of others is affected. Don't agree to go back to someone's flat if you don't know them well, or at the very least tell some friends where you are going and with whom.
• Try, when possible, to walk facing oncoming traffic. This helps avoid kerb crawlers or someone approaching from behind, catching you unawares.
• Some people feel safer carrying a personal safety alarm.
• Avoid walking alone at night when possible.
• Ensure that valuables are kept out of sight. Wallets and purses should be kept in inside pockets.
• Avoid cash machines in darkly lit places.
• It is also advised not to wear any football colours or any other objects linked to football etc in pubs as this can at times cause trouble or provoke others.

Nights Out

Student life is about your course but its also about the time of your life! This may involve more nights out or more dates or whatever really! This information is not here to frighten you, just to make you aware of a couple of things and start that brain ticking.

• Try to leave clubs/pubs and events with friends.
• If you leave with someone you have just met, introduce them to someone you know and tell them where you are going.
• If you are alone, stay alert, project confidence and be aware of potential dangerous places and situations.
• Trust your instincts. If in doubt, make your excuses and get out of the situation.
• If someone buys you a drink try to watch it from point of sale until you drink it, spiking of drinks is not unheard of.
• Attackers hope for a passive victim. Be prepared to shout!
• If trouble occurs, try to remain calm and defuse the situation.
• If you are attacked, only you can decide whether to fight back. You have every right to use reasonable force.
• Don't remain a victim! If you have been attacked, always report the incident as soon as possible. If you witness an attack, dial 999, try to scare off the attackers and stay with the victim until help arrives.

  SAFER DRUG TAKING

• No drugs, legal or illegal, are totally without side effects. Make sure you are aware of these before you take any drugs.
• Reduce risks by taking less.
• Never mix a drug with other drugs, including alcohol.
• Be aware that the colour, shape or size of a tablet says nothing about its real contents; its an experiment in the unknown.
• It is dangerous to top-up if it appears that a drug isn't working - it can take up to 1 hour or more to feel the effects.
• Avoid taking drugs by yourself. Having pals around can reduce the risk of having a bad time and it means that there is someone there who can help if something goes wrong.
• Remember not to drive after taking drugs.
  If you have any queries about drugs in any capacity then drop in for a chat with one of our Advice & Support Officers who will be happy to discuss your concerns.  All discussions are confidential. For further advice you can also contact the Free National Drugs Helpline (24 hours) 0800 77 66 00 (advice, information and telephone counselling). 

Police Powers

Police Powers in Fife may differ greatly from where you are from, especially for the large number of international students who study here. The following advice tells you how to conduct yourself if you are stopped by the Police for any reason. Points to remember if you are stopped by the Police:

• Stand your ground but be reasonable
• The more reasonable you are the more reasonable they will be
• Answer any questions in a reasonable way
• Give your correct name and address
• You don't have to say anything more
• Do not make anything up to get yourself out of trouble
• Ensure you're told why you have been stopped, detained or arrested
• You cannot be detained for any more than six hours
• You have the right to have a lawyer informed if you have been detained
• If anything is removed from you during a search do not sign the list of possessions unless it is correct
• Any search should be made by an officer of the same sex
• You can complain about the treatment / procedure in police custody, but it's not worth struggling or being arrested in return.

These points are only intended as a guide to the law. It is not an authoritative interpretation of the law. If you feel you have been treated in an inappropriate manner, then you can contact the Scottish Human Rights Centre, 146 Holland Road, Glasgow G2. Or telephone on 0141-332-5960

Home Safety Advice

If you're living away from home for the first time, then it may take a while to adjust to a new environment. If you are living in a flat then there are a few precautions to be aware of in order to maximise safety:

• Ensure all doors have adequate locking facilities.  Two different types of locks on doors (i.e. Mortice and Yale) is advisable - this will deter break-ins.  If you do have a Mortice lock and you lock it when you are inside, be sure to leave your keys in the lock in case you need to get out quickly in the event of a fire.
• Window locks for ground floor flats which are easily accessible are a great idea.  Securing venetian blinds to the bottom of the window frame can be a cheap yet effective deterrent.
• Ensure the external close is well lit over the course of the night, this will make you feel less vulnerable coming home at night.
• If your flat doesn't have a smoke alarm fitted then inform your landlord.  They could save a life.  Check regularly that it is working.
• If you're going away over the holidays and no one will be in the flat tell someone trustworthy in the building so they can check up on the flat.
• If you're going out for the evening, leave a light on, this can help give the impression people are in.