Going on a night out or to house parties are a fun way to meet new people and have a laugh with friends. Here’s a reminder of safety tips to help keep you and your friends safe: 

Drink spiking 

It’s your choice whether you want to drink alcohol or not. Don’t pressure others to drink if they don’t want to. Adding alcohol to someone’s drink without their consent is still drink spiking. Never spike someone’s drink.  

Watch the video below to find out what you should do if you think your friend’s drink might have been spiked.  

Find out more about drink spiking.

‘Ask for Angela’ initiative  

If you’re on a night out and you don’t feel safe, or you feel uncomfortable and you want to leave discretely, you can ask for ‘Angela’ at bars on campus. All our bar staff at University and Kent Students’ Union outlets have been trained on this so they can support you. The initiative also runs in many bars in Canterbury and Medway. You can often spot the ‘Ask for Angela’ sign in the bar toilets to indicate the service is available.   

The Venue and Woody’s also now operate the Ask for Clive scheme. Staff are trained in how to respond to reports of discrimination or hate crime towards people in the LGBTQ+ community.

Canterbury Connected Routes 

Connected Routes is a joint initiative between University of Kent, Kent Students’ Union and Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). By joining up, we can offer support to you in Canterbury city as well as on campus. Any activation of SafeZone on the Connected Routes will give the Kent or CCCU security control room your location, so they can offer you support. Plus there are refuge points where you can go if you ever feel unsafe or need support. Find out more about the Connected Routes.

‘Zero Tolerance’ to harassment and discrimination 

Our Kent and Kent Students’ Union bars and outlets operate a Zero Tolerance policy on harassment and discrimination. Report incidents to premises staff and immediate action will be taken.  

Consent. Get It. Full Stop. 

The University of Kent and Kent Students’ Union do not tolerant any form of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment. Check out the consent website to find out how to get consent (it doesn’t have to be awkward!)

Let’s look out for each other. Enjoy your night! #StaySafe 

Going on a night out? Don’t forget to plan your journey home. 

Check bus services 

Depending on how late you stay out, you might be able to catch a bus home. Arriva is the main bus operator in Medway. Find out more about bus services in Medway. You can also check when buses are coming using the Arriva bus app.

Booking a registered taxi 

If you’re booking a taxi, make sure it is registered. You can tell if a taxi is licensed by checking if there is a licence plate on the front and back of the vehicle. They are usually positioned under or next to the vehicle registration plate. Drivers of licensed taxis will also be wearing an ID badge and you can ask to see this if it is not immediately visible. 

Recommended walking routes on campus 

If you’re walking across campus at night, we recommend you use the following walking routes that are fully lit: 

• Historic Dockyard from Universities at Medway
• Medway Road

Campus Security Walking Taxi service 

If you don’t want to walk home alone on campus, you can call Campus Security on 01227 82 3300 and they can arrange for a member of Security to walk with you.  

Look out for your friends and don’t leave anyone behind #StaySafe 

Going on a night out? Don’t forget to plan your journey home. 

Catch the night bus 

You can catch the Stagecoach Uni2 bus after a night out in Canterbury. It’s a 24 hour service (excluding Sundays, bank holidays, Christmas and Summer vacation). Learn more about Stagecoach bus routes and discounts. You can check when buses are coming by using the Stagecoach app.

Student safe taxi scheme 

In Canterbury, we operate the student safe taxi scheme with Longleys Private Hire, a local taxi firm. The scheme gives students who find themselves in a vulnerable situation safe travel to their accommodation or another destination, such as a police station or local hospital. Students can request a taxi through the scheme even if they do not have the funds to pay the fare at the time of booking, as fares can be paid later on the Online Store. 

We recommend you sign up to the scheme in advance in case you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use it. Registration is quick and simple and all students who register will be entitled to discounted taxi fares on all journeys with Longleys. 

Booking a registered taxi 

If you’re booking a taxi, make sure it is registered. You can tell if a taxi is licensed by checking if there is a licence plate on the front and back of the vehicle. They are usually positioned under or next to the vehicle registration plate. Drivers of licensed taxis will also be wearing an ID badge and you can ask to see this if it is not immediately visible. 

Campus Security Walking Taxi service 

If you don’t want to walk home alone on campus, you can call Campus Security on 01227 82 3300 and they can arrange for a member of Security to walk with you.  

Canterbury Connected Routes 

Connected Routes is a joint initiative been University of Kent, Kent Students’ Union and Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). By joining up, we can offer support to you in Canterbury city as well as on campus. Any activation of SafeZone on the Connected Routes will give the Kent or CCCU security control room your location, so they can offer you support. Plus there are refuge points where you can go if you ever feel unsafe or need support. Find out more about the Connected Routes.

Look out for your friends and don’t leave anyone behind #StaySafe