On the whole, Leeds is a very safe city. But like any city in the UK, there are dangerous areas, and it’s always worth taking precautions to stay safe. Whether you’re travelling to visit some friends, going to work or university or simply going to and from university, we have got together ways you can stay safe here in Leeds.
Look into taking transport if it’s not safe to walk
At the end of a night out in Leeds, it’s tempting to walk back home on foot. However, sometimes this may not be the safest of options, especially if you’re alone at night. Sometimes it’s a lot safer to order an Uber or a taxi, even if it means that you’re spending that extra bit of money. Each university in Leeds will have its own options and offers for students to make sure that they are kept safe at night.
Arrow Cars have a free app that makes it easier than ever to book a taxi straight to your door, whether on demand or up to three months in advance. With minimal hassle, simply book your trip and track your ride in real time, so you know exactly where your driver is.
Plus, you can easily keep your friends and loved ones updated on your journey by sharing your live location during your trip, as your driver delivers you safely home. Simply download the app from the App Store or Google Play, book your trip and pay via a variety of payment methods. The app includes push notifications on your journey, options to book a return journey (when you are feeling organised!) and even promo codes to save you money in future.
Furthermore, you can also get the Leeds University Nightbus. The Nightbus ensures that you get home safely, and unlike normal buses, the nightbus only takes you to your address. It returns people home that live within the Leeds outer ring road. Did we mention that this is all done for £1? To catch a ride on the Nightbus, go along to the Nightbus banner in the union foyer. You can sign your name onto the Nightbus list there and head home safely.
Useful Contacts
You can contact your university directly if you ever feel unsafe and want someone to talk to. We have included some details below of people you can contact.
University of Leeds:
- 24-Hour contact through University Security – +44 113 343 2222
- Leeds University Union Student Advice Centre (Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm GMT)- +44 113 380 1420 or advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk
- Leeds Student Medical Practice- +44 113 295 4488
Leeds Beckett University:
- Student Advice- 0113 812 3000 or studentadvicehub@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
University of Law: 0800 289 997
Remember that if you find yourself in an emergency, call 999 directly for help.
Leeds Nightline
Leeds Nightline is a service that supports students from all over Leeds, including the University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. They provide services to help students feel safer in and throughout Leeds and provide information of different areas whenever you need it. For example, club listings, sources of support for survivors of sexual assault and places to avoid in Leeds.
It is run by student volunteers, and their IM and email service are open from 8 pm to 2 am every night. Further information on how to contact them can be found here
Stick to well-lit areas
It’s always best to stay clear of dark locations such as alleyways, corners and streets. According to the Leeds Walksafe app (which allows users to look across an area and tell whether it is safe), the areas to best avoid at night including New Briggate, North Court and Harison Street in the Leeds City Centre. Further areas to avoid in Leeds according to the Walksafe app, can be found here.
It’s always important to stay safe, no matter where you are in the UK. For further tips on how to stay safe, especially at night, check out our top 10 tips here.
