Your safety is our number one priority at the University of Plymouth Students’ Union.
We have a number of safety measures, schemes and services which are in place to help keep you safe on nights out at the SU. Please familiarise yourself with our important policies and safety services below: you never know when you or a friend may be in need of our help.
No Student ID? No Entry.
We do not allow entry to the SU to any of our events without seeing your Student ID. This excludes non-student plus ones but the student signing them in will need to show their ID.
Random Bag Searches
We frequently do random bag checks and searches. Our door team may ask to search your bag on entry.
Random Drink Testing
You may be approached by a member of staff to be offered a drink spike test. This is entirely you choice and you have every right to say no.
You can ask the SU bar team for StopTopps. StopTopps are versatile drink-protectors that have been designed to deter drink spikers. They are suitable for any drinking vessel. Learn more about StopTopps here.
Welfare Assistants
Our Welfare Assistants play an important part in keeping the atmosphere on a night out friendly and respectful and to support people who may be vulnerable.
Safe Taxi Scheme
Need a Cab to or from the SU? Run out of cash or lost your card? Use your Student ID to pay for your taxi ride and collect it and pay the next day from the SU! UPSU have partnered up with @needacab247 to be our official taxi provider for UPSU and to provide the Safe Taxi Scheme. To use the Safe Taxi Scheme, ring 01752 666222 and they will contact you when they arrive, making you aware of their car model and registration number, ensuring you feel safe and secure and know where to go.
Learn more about our Safe Taxi Scheme here.
Ask for Angela campaign
The SU supports the Ask for Angela campaign: a really clever idea that was instigated by Hayley Child the Substance Misuse Strategy Coordinator for Lincolnshire County Council.
The poster was designed to compliment the councils NO MORE campaign and is currently being displayed in the county clubs and bars with the help of Lincolnshire Pubwatch members.
The poster is a visual aid which might provide a vital life-line to someone who finds themselves in a difficult situation and can’t get out of it.
‘Hi I’m Angela,’ the poster says. ‘Are you on a date that isn’t working out? Do you feel like you’re not in a safe situation? Is your Tinder or POF [Plenty of Fish] date not who they said they were on their profile? Does it all feel a bit weird?
‘If you go to the bar and ask for ‘Angela’ the bar staff will know you need some help getting out of your situation and will call you a taxi or help you out discreetly – without too much fuss.’
Learn more about the Ask for Angela campaign here.
Please also familiarise yourself with the 'Personal Safety' page of the Devon and Cornwall Police Student Safety guide:
Summary of the guide:
¦ Be sensible when drinking alcohol and know your limits.
¦ Avoid leaving your drink unattended to stop opportunists.
¦ If you see anything suspicious when you’re out, report it to venue staff or the police.
¦ Plan how you’re getting home, who you’ll be going with and look after your friends.
¦ If you’re walking home, make sure you’re not alone and stick to well-lit areas.
¦ Only use licensed taxis.
¦ Keep your mobile on you, make sure it’s charged, and it has data and call minutes that you can use if you need to.
Read the complete Devon and Cornwall Police Student Safety guide here.
If you ever need to speak to Devon and Cornwall police, you can contact them online at www.dc.police.uk/contact or by calling 101. You can also find details of your nearest police enquiry office by visiting www.dc.police.uk/police-enquiry-office
In an emergency, always call 999.