Safety

In College

Both Bear Lane and the EPA Centre require a swipe-card for entry, and each flat also has a separate key, so in general you and your belongings are likely to be quite safe if you are living in College accommodation. However, we do recommend that you lock your doors and windows if you are going out, and also that you think twice about who you allow to follow you through the gates when you enter with your swipe-card. If you happen to lock yourself out, you can borrow a spare key from the Porters’ Lodge (at either the main site or EPA).

Similarly, the Common Rooms are reasonably secure, being protected by either a swipe-card system or a code on the door, but please try to avoid leaving anything valuable lying around them. The MCR are a pretty trustworthy bunch and we don’t wish to advocate total paranoia, but thefts can occur – just use your common sense! If you really have to leave something unattended in College, there are a couple of safer options: either you could ask the porters to look after it for you, or you could arrange to use one of the lockers available next door to the MCR (emailGlenn if you need one – but please be aware that there are quite a limited number).

Lincoln College has contents insurance on rooms in College withEndsleigh Insurance. You can find out in detail what is covered by clicking here.

A summary of the cover (as of September 2008) is as follows:

  • £4000 cover for things in your room against theft, fire, flood and burst pipes
  • Desktop computers, laptops, and computer equipment in your room up to £2000
  • Sports equipment up to £1000 and musical instruments up to £600 in your room
  • Visual and audio equipment such as televisions and CD or DVD players in your room
  • …but NOT laptops or portable computer equipment outside your room, mobile phone and other things you take outside your room, your bicycle, or the cost of your course fees if you have to leave university unexpectedly. Also not covered is accidental damage to your belongings (e.g. spilling beer in your laptop…)

You can extend your insurance with Endsleigh to cover these extras, but it is possible that it will be cheaper to get this insurance with a different company (use an online comparison site to compare). In practice, most students don’t bother getting extra insurance and simply rely on the College basic cover, but if you own something particularly expensive it may be worthwhile.

In your department

If you discover an intruder or criminal activity in your department, the University of Oxford Security Services can be contacted on (01865 2)89999.

Details of the University of Oxford’s policy on harassment, including instructions on what to do if you are experiencing problems, can be found here.

Out and about

Most parts of Oxford are relatively safe even at night, but it is still sensible to take precautions. Choose well-lit streets if walking home alone, or if possible, go with a friend. Personal alarms are available to borrow from Lincoln MCR, by contacting the welfare officers.

If your journey is too far to walk, there are various transport options:

  • Bus:
    Oxford has two bus companies, Stagecoach and the Oxford Bus Company. There is not a lot to choose between them in terms of prices or routes covered, but it is worth knowing that the Oxford Bus Company buses stop running after about 11-11.30pm, while the Stagecoach ones run until about 1-1.30am.
  • Taxi:
    Oxford has many taxi companies. You can either hail a black cab (more expensive), or call one of the following taxi firms to book a taxi in advance. Royal Cars: 01865 777333; Radio Taxi: 01865 242424; ABC Taxi: 01865 775577.
  • OUSU/OBSU Safety Bus:
    This is run as a joint welfare venture between the Student Unions of Oxford and Brookes Universities. There are two minibuses, manned by students from the universities, who for a fee of just £1 will pick you up from anywhere inside the Oxford ring road and deliver you home. They run from 9pm-3am Mondays-Saturdays and 9pm-1am on Sundays. You can’t book in advance – to get a lift, call 07714445050. They will prioritise people who are on their own, so you may have to wait quite a long time if you are in a group. You will also have to show your student card to get on the minibus.

For further information on staying safe in Oxford, see the Oxford Safer Communities Partnership.

In an emergency

If there is an emergency, you can contact the police (or other emergency services such as fire and ambulance services) by calling 999 from any mobile or landline. For more general information, the Thames Valley Police Headquarters can be contacted on 0845 8505 505.