01/11/21 Update:

The University recently released their statement on how they, local venues, Police and your Students’ Union are working together to keep you safe on nights out. 

You can read the full statement here.

The statement includes further details on the points below: 

• Across town and campus there will be extra security, cctv and police patrols to assist if you need advice or support, and to deter any potential troublemakers. 
• The SafeZone App is an easy way for students and staff to contact security in the event of an incident, alongside other great safety features. 
• UCLan Students’ Union Take Me Home Scheme can help you get home if you find yourself on a night out without the money to get home. The scheme enables you to organise a ride with Millers taxis, and hand over your Student ID card instead of payment, and then arrange payment the day after. 

It is always a good idea to carry your student ID card with you on a night out in case you find yourself in trouble and need to use this service. You don’t need your full lanyard- just pop your card in your wallet or purse alongside your proof of age ID. 

• The Ask for Angela national initiative is there to help if you need to leave an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation.

If you have any concerns or questions about this issue, just drop us a DM on social media, and we’ll direct you to the best department to help. 

Facebook: UCLan Students’ Union

Instagram: @UCLanSU

Twitter: @UCLanSU

TikTok: @uclansu

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Last week, we released a statement with supporting guidance following the recent increase in spiking and since then, concerns continue to grow both nationally and locally. 

We’re aware many students up and down the country plan to take part in a boycott of nightclubs and venues on Wednesday 27th October as part of the ‘Girls Night In’ campaign.  The national campaign wants venues to focus on preventative work, welfare and support. We’ve heard from some UCLan students who plan to take part in the boycott locally and we are sharing advice, guidance and resources with Sports Clubs and Societies who would like to join in with the boycott in Preston and other UCLan campuses. 

The Students’ Union is committed to tackling spiking and any form of sexual harassment. We have already started conversations with the University on how us, local stakeholders and venues can do more to make our community feel safer and have things in place to; prevent further incidents, ensure venues have the correct procedures and support in place and guarantee the safety of students and other customers. 

The Students’ Union will: 

• Continue conversations with the University Student Support, Security and Safety Teams on how we can support students. 

• Begin discussions with local venues on their safety procedures and what they’re doing to tackle spiking. 

• Continue to share safety messages and guidance to students.  

• Listen to students’ concerns and take appropriate action on your feedback. 

• Attend a Pubnet meeting on Thursday 28th October with Lancashire Police and local venues. (Pubnet meet regularly but have brought the meeting forward to this week in response to the current issues.) 

We intend to host a drop-in session with Odette, VP Welfare and Katie, VP Activities next week in the Students’ Union Drop-In in the Student Centre, for any students, members of Clubs or Societies or other Reps to come along and have a chat. We welcome students’ thoughts and ideas on any preventative work they’d like to see and what interventions they’d like put in place to protect them and keep the community safe. 

Nobody should ever feel unsafe or at risk when simply wanted to enjoy a night out with friends.  

If you need support on any of the issues above, please access the University’s Student Support - which is also available out of University working hours. The Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing team is available Monday to Thursday, 9am to 9pm, Friday 9am to 7pm and from 10am to 6pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.  
If you need to talk to someone outside of these times, you can speak to University Security 24 hours a day by calling 01772 892068 (non-emergency queries) or 01772 896333 (emergency queries/situations). Deaf users please text 07891 679 537. 
 
Visit support online reportandsupport.uclan.ac.uk.