Campus Safety
Stay safe on and off campus
Aston is a safe campus to live, work and study and we have a number of systems in place to ensure your safety, security and wellbeing are protected. The safety of our community is a priority for Aston University and the outstanding service by Aston’s Campus Safety Team is recognised through the award of ‘Security Team of the Year 2019’ by AUCSO (Association of University Chief Security Officers).
Staying safe and reporting any incidents is the shared responsibility of our whole community and there are some simple steps you can follow to give you extra vigilance and peace of mind.
We recognise the great achievements of our staff through the annual Security Awards programme offering awards in ‘Courage and Professionalism’ and ‘Outstanding Continuous Performance.’
Whether it’s your first time in a big city, or you know your surroundings very well, your safety is important.
Here are some tips on keeping you and your belongings safe when out and about.
If you see any suspicious activity, please contact Campus Safety on 0121 204 4803/7 or 0121 359 2922.
Project Servator is a partnership with West Midlands Police and aims to deter, detect and disrupt a range of criminal activity, while providing a reassuring presence for the public.
It sees highly-visible yet unpredictable police deployments in and around campus and Birmingham. They can happen anywhere and at any time.
They involve both uniformed and plain-clothed officers, supported by a range of other resources such as armed officers, police dogs, vehicle check-points, a network of CCTV cameras, security staff and retailers we work in partnership with.
One of the key elements of Project Servator is unpredictability, so don’t be surprised if you see police officers pop up at various times and locations across the campus.
If you need to report an incident on campus, Aston University Campus Safety Team are available 24/7 and 365 days a year. No matter how large or small, the Campus Safety Team are here to help you.
You can also contact the Hub on 0121 204 4007.
For general enquiries: internal (4803) university switchboard (0121 204 0300).
For emergencies dial 999, and then contact Campus Safety on 0121 359 2922 (open 24 hours).
For non-emergencies dial West Midlands Police 101 or register for live chat (non-emergency).
Find out more about SafeZone, our new security app.
Find out more about SafeZone’s features.
Our control room operates an extensive, state-of-the-art CCTV network. Our operators are trained in operational needs, Data Protection Law, the Human Rights Act and equipped with personal body cameras.
As a public body, the University may receive requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Requests are dealt with by the Freedom of Information Coordinator and Registry.
In 2015 the University worked alongside the Surveillance Camera Commissioner to trial an assessment tool to ensure we met Government guidelines. Aston was the first University in the UK to achieve the SCC Certificate of Compliance.
University Data Protection Policy
Aston University's Entry on the ICO's Data Protection Register
Cyclists can join our Aston University Bicycle User Group (AstBug). It is free to join and membership benefits include:
For health and safety reasons, no cycles can be taken in to any of our buildings. However we have a number of secure bike shelters throughout the campus and in combination with CCTV and a good ‘D’ lock, your bike will be secure.
For those who drink alcohol and when you are out with friends, it is important to keep in control.
Aston University has a strict zero-tolerance to the use of illegal drugs and for students involved in illegal drugs activity, disciplinary action will be taken.
Disciplinary action can result in fines, suspension from studies and expulsion from University.
A drug conviction, even a caution, can seriously restrict your eligibility for certain careers and foreign travel.
For more information and advice on drink and drugs visit:
For outstanding service, the Security Team are recognised through the award of ‘Security Team of the Year 2018’ by AUCSO (Association of University Chief Security Officers).
AUCSO is the leading organisation for security professionals working in higher and further education in the UK and Europe.
Aston University Security is a dedicated, professional and experienced department, here to help day and night, every day of the year. The team provide reassurance to students, staff and visitors and much more. Our control room is staffed 24/7, 365 days of the year to provide our staff, students and visitors with the safest possible place to live, work or visit.