AS thousands of students have been arriving in the North East to begin their university journey, Northumbria Police and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, are offering them a warm welcome — and a clear message that student and community safety is a top priority.
In Newcastle, a key part of the support in place this Freshers’ Week and beyond is the Safe Haven Van – parked up in the heart of the Bigg Market at peak times or when events are taking place. The well-known safety hub is funded through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. It provides a safe, supportive space for anyone who finds themselves in difficulty during a night out. Whether someone feels unwell, has lost their friends, or needs help getting home – the Safe Haven Van is there to ensure no one is left feeling vulnerable.
The Safe Haven Van is just one of a raft of safety plans working alongside Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), Newcastle City Council, and the dedicated Street Pastors — aiming for students to feel safe and supported right from the start.
Dedicated policing operation, Operation Salus, is a year-round initiative to safeguard people in the city centre. Officers monitor CCTV, gather intelligence and respond quickly to signs of vulnerability. The operation not only includes increased patrols, but also CCTV surveillance and Automatic Number Plate Recognition. Background work like this helps address issues before they escalate, leaving people free to enjoy their evenings in safety.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth who has been visiting freshers’ fairs across the region, including in Newcastle and Sunderland, said: “Starting university is a big step — for students and for parents too. For many young people it’s their first taste if independence and so we want to make sure it’s a positive one. I want to reassure students and their families that here in Northumbria, we take student safety seriously. From extra policing operations to trusted services like the Safe Haven Van, we’ve made real investment in keeping our city centres safe, especially during busy times like Freshers. Newcastle is an incredible place to study, and we’re committed to doing all we can, alongside our partners, so people are safe and can enjoy their time here.”
Chief Inspector Rob Bosson, of Northumbria Police’s Newcastle Area Command, said: “Newcastle is renowned as a vibrant, welcoming and safe place for students to live, study and enjoy a fun night out and we are determined to keep it that way. We work with a range of partners, including the Police and Crime Commissioner, the local authority, businesses, licensees, door supervisors, hotel staff, as well as street pastors and taxi drivers, so we can all come together so that people are safe. The Safe Haven Van remains a vitally important part of our multi-agency work within the night time economy, so that alongside our partners we’re there when needed by those who may have become split up from friends or found themselves worse for wear on an evening out. We also run Op Salus, in which our officers work hard alongside partners to ensure the safety of all people visiting the city centre at all times of the year. We are proud of the role we play within the night-time economy and our dedicated and innovative approach has been rolled out elsewhere in the country. As a Force, we remain committed to building on this work to ensure people can continue to have a safe and enjoyable time while on a night out. Please remember that if you do need us, we are here for you.”
Vashti Hutton, Director of Student Life and Wellbeing at Northumbria University and speaking on behalf of both Universities, said: “The health and safety of our community is our number one priority, and we work actively with several partners across the city to help make this possible at this exciting time for our new students. We encourage all students to familiarise themselves with up-to-date guidance about keeping safe in the city, attend campus and accommodation inductions, as well as look for support from the emergency services should they need it when exploring their new home. In addition, we continue to work with Northumbria Police as part of our ‘Operation Oak’ partnership, which provides extra police officers to work in areas such as Jesmond, Heaton, Sandyford, Shieldfield and Ouseburn, providing reassurance to all residents. This police-led initiative funded by the universities works to encourage good community relations and minimise disruption to the daily lives of all residents because of anti-social behaviour, along with addressing any vulnerabilities or safeguarding concerns and offering crime prevention advice.”
Stu Holliday, head of emergency preparedness, resilience and response at North East Ambulance Service said: “Working closely with the police in the city centre means that we can assess and treat people quickly. This frees up our resources to help patients in the greatest need. It also helps relieve pressures on local hospitals and provide a secure environment to pass on safety information and give medical assistance to anyone might need it. We want everyone to enjoy their time at university in Newcastle without needing us, but the Safe Haven allows us to be there for those who do.”
