Thousands of young people leave for university in Scotland’s major cities and larger towns at the start of each academic year. It’s an exciting period, but it’s also fraught with risk.

When relocating to a new city, it’s crucial to keep in mind that not all areas of Scotland are equally safe. This is sometimes forgotten, especially by students who are moving to a big city from a small town, and criminals often target students because of this naivety.

We’ve put together this guide on how to stay safe at university, whether you’re a fresher or a postgrad, to help you stay out of trouble.

Even in places with low overall crime rates, it’s crucial to remember that this is an average taken throughout the entire city, and certain areas are far more dangerous than others. Some tourist locations and low-income neighbourhoods are notorious for being crime hotspots.

Always plan ahead of time for your travels. When feasible, go in groups and avoid traversing the streets late at night in high-crime areas. You can plan your itinerary ahead of time with apps like FirstBus or ScotRail.

Due to the fact that responsibility for securing the house is frequently shared among students, there is a higher danger of burglary. It’s critical to observe the following general guidelines: Don’t leave doors open; don’t leave keys on hall tables; and make sure all doors and windows are closed and locked before leaving.

When students are returning home from a night out and going through dimly lit rural areas such as parks and back streets, robberies and muggings are common.

Many students, particularly first-years, live outside of the city centre, which means a long and sometimes risky commute home.

Because much of every city’s crime is internal gang-related, students should be unaffected. It goes without saying that you should avoid all forms of illegal activity, but especially drugs, as this is the most common way for students to fall into the wrong crowd.

Above all else, it’s important to remember to be careful but enjoy your time at university.

If you’ve already graduated and moved into your first home then remember to take equally appropriate measures to keep your new home safe and secure. A burglar alarm from Ultimate Alarms will protect your home with cutting edge smart technology. Click here to discover our home security options.