Women's Network campus safety walk

The walk brought together teams from across the university, as part of Leeds Beckett's ongoing commitment to safety, inclusion and listening to colleague experiences, including Vicki Johnson, Deputy Director of Estates and Facilities, and Dave Watson, Head of Engineering, alongside the Security team.

Why a campus safety walk?

The Women's Network, which now has 134 members across the university, who meets regularly to share experiences and raise issues that matter to colleagues. Feeling safe on campus emerged as a shared priority, particularly in relation to:

• Darker or quieter areas of campus
• Lone working
• Late finishes

The Safety Walk provided an opportunity to experience the campus environment together and identify where small changes could make a meaningful difference.

What we did

During the walk, colleagues reviewed spaces and routes across campus, focusing on areas where improvements or awareness-raising could strengthen confidence and safety. The group was welcomed by Emma Foster, Security Supervisor, who outlined the range of support services available to colleagues and students, including:

• 24/7 security cover at Headingley
• Lone working support
• The option for Security staff to accompany colleagues around campus if they feel unsafe

Participants were encouraged to save Estates and Security contact numbers in their phones for easy access and were provided with a welcome pack, including a contact card and a personal pin-activated alarm.

What happens next?

• Continued review of lighting and physical spaces identified as potential issues at Headingley, including planned repairs and future redesign work
• Further communication to colleagues and students to improve awareness of campus safety services and support that already exist
• Plans for a City Campus safety walk, coordinated with Estates and the Women's Network
• An update from Estates on safety-related app developments expected in 2026

The Women's Network will continue to work in partnership with Estates, Security and the Equality and Inclusion team to ensure colleague voices help shape a safer, more inclusive campus environment for everyone.

Quick actions you can take today:

• Save Security and Estates contact details to your phone:
  • City Campus: 0113 812 3154
  • Headingley Campus: 0113 812 3165
• If you're working late or alone, you can notify Security for awareness, and request support if required
• Report concerns early (lighting, doors, access points, isolated areas) via Planon