Halloween is all about spooky fun, but staying safe should never be part of the scare! We’re lucky to be part of such a vibrant and diverse city, and while we want everyone to enjoy the celebrations, it’s important to look out for yourself and those around you. A little extra care can go a long way in making sure everyone has a fun and safe Halloween. Here are some tips and initiatives to remember on your nights out in Plymouth.
Ask For Angela
The SU supports the Ask for Angela campaign: 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. Everyone deserves to feel safe on a night out.
StoppTops
Whilst in the SU, you can also ask the bar team for StopTopps. StopTopps are versatile drink-protectors that have been designed to deter drink spikers. They are suitable for any drinking vessel. They are made from small sheets of aluminium foil, through which you can insert a straw for easy drinking.Never leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from someone you don’t know. If you or a friend suspects your drink has been spiked, you can take it to the bar to be tested and please alert a member of staff as soon as possible. We take drink spiking seriously. Spiking someone’s drink is a serious crime, and it can carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Safe Bus
If you’re out in Plymouth, remember the Safe Bus is there to provide help if you need it. Located outside Timber Vaults on Union Street from 10PM during Halloween weekend, the bus is a safe place which you can attend if you have injured yourself, are feeling unwell or are intoxicated. It also provides a spot to take a breath, meet up with friends, charge your phone and even get a spare pair of clothes. The bus is staffed by a team of paramedics, security guards and nearby taxi marshals who ensure anyone trying to get a taxi, including those from the Safe Bus, can get home safely.
Strut Safe
Strut Safe is a volunteer-operated and non-judgemental support line. They will stay on the phone with you until you arrive safely at your destination, no matter where you are going or where you have come from. Volunteers chat with you about whatever you want to help you feel safe and less alone whilst you walk back from a night out.
Calls are almost always free, as they are included in phone packages with free minutes.
Their phone lines are open Thursdays: 19:00 - 01:00, Fridays & Saturdays: 19:00 - 03:00, Sundays: 19:00 - 01:00 and can be reached at 0333 335 0026 during these hours.
If you’re walking at night, try not to do it alone. Stick to well-lit routes, be careful when crossing roads and remember if you’ve been drinking you are more vulnerable. Walk on the side of oncoming traffic so that vehicles can’t pull up next to you without you knowing.
Never Ok
We take your safety seriously. If anything does happen while you're on a night out in the SU, please report it. Support is available to you, read more here.
Other helpful information for your nights out this Halloween:
Safe Sex Practices
If you plan to engage in sexual activities, ask yourself if you or the other individual(s) are intoxicated and therefore unable to make good choices, including consent. Is this something you both want and would still want if you were not intoxicated? Are you safe, and do you have protection if you do engage in sexual activities?
You can read more about sexual health services in Plymouth here.
General Safety Information For Nights Out In The SU:
We work closely with local police to ensure that our campus and surrounding area is as safe as possible for our students. We have several measures, schemes and services which are in place to help keep you safe on nights out at the SU.
Please familiarise yourself with our policies and safety services: you never know when you or a friend may need our help.