Student safety campaign launched as thousands return to Belfast
Students arriving in Belfast for the new academic year are being encouraged to stay safe, look out for one another and respect the communities in which they live as part of a new city-wide safety campaign.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched its 2026 student safety campaign in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, Belfast Metropolitan College, Belfast City Council and SOS Bus.
The initiative will see an increased visible police presence around student accommodation areas, alongside crime prevention advice and engagement with students across the city.
Focus on student areas
With thousands of new and returning students settling into Belfast, police say officers will work closely with universities, colleges, Belfast City Council and local communities over the coming month.
The campaign is aimed not only at helping students stay safe, but also at encouraging responsible behaviour and good relations between students and permanent residents.
Chief Inspector Loreen Glenn said the safety of students and the wellbeing of the wider community were priorities for police.
Officers will provide crime prevention information directly to students as well as through social media, with advice covering personal safety, protecting property and staying safe while enjoying Belfast’s nightlife.
Staying safe on nights out
The campaign also highlights the Ask for Angela initiative, which allows someone who feels unsafe or uncomfortable in a participating venue to discreetly ask staff for assistance.
According to the PSNI, more than 400 bars and clubs across Northern Ireland are now signed up to the initiative.
Students are also being encouraged to plan journeys home, look after friends and familiarise themselves with the support available to them.
Belfast City Council’s student safety guidance recommends travelling in groups at night, planning journeys home and using well-lit routes. Students are also advised to secure accommodation properly and keep valuables out of sight.
Students urged to respect local communities
The campaign also places an emphasis on the relationship between students and residents, particularly in areas of South Belfast with large student populations.
Belfast City Council says many students live in the Holylands and wider university area and reminds residents that enforcement action can be taken for offences including excessive noise, littering and drinking alcohol on the street.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly said students were an important part of the city’s community and that those coming to Belfast should feel safe, welcome and supported.
She also encouraged students to look out for one another, be considerate of their neighbours and know where to seek help when they need it.
Representatives from Queen’s University, Ulster University, Belfast Met and SOS Bus have also backed the campaign, highlighting the importance of helping students—particularly those living independently for the first time—adjust safely to life in Belfast.