Students at the University of Huddersfield have had a safer start to life in the town.

The university and Kirklees Police came up with a package of measures to provide new students with help and advice about how to enjoy university life and stay safe.

The action has also been part of a week-long focus by Kirklees Police and by colleagues in other parts of the force to highlight the issue of women’s safety and launch a range of safety initiatives. 

In Huddersfield officers have begun to conduct reassurance patrols around the university campus and were also providing a high visibility presence on routes to the university and halls. 

A number of officers also patrolled around the town centre on Monday night to support the Huddersfield Crawl. 

Meanwhile, Night Safety bus and its team of trained staff from Change Grow Live’s CHART Kirklees drug and alcohol service and Locala have been on hand to help people report sexual harassment and provide a safe space on a night out if someone is feeling threatened. 

Students have also been provided with printed safety advice cards and had the opportunity to speak with police staff attending the university’s welcome fair. 

A digital poster will also be projected across a university campus building this week to advise students about services they can access and work to reduce violence against women and girls.

The new safety drive follows on from a similar sustained package of work to make women and girls safer last autumn, which was credited with reducing the number of offences targeted against women in the Kirklees district.  

Funding for police operations at the university was provided by the University of Huddersfield. 

Supt Helen Brear, of Kirklees Police, said: “I want to thank our partners at the University of Huddersfield for continuing to take such a strong and active stance on student safety. 

“We have again worked very closely with them in 2023 to deliver what has now become a really broad package of measures to welcome new students to Huddersfield and make them aware of the help and support available to help them have a safer time in Kirklees. 

“We hope the new students really enjoy their time here and want to make them aware Kirklees Police is here to support them during their stay.”

She added: “Our wider work will also continue across this week to make women and girls safer in Kirklees and target those wanted for offending against women. 

“West Yorkshire Police operates a zero tolerance policy regarding violence against women offending and we always encourage victims to report any and all offending.” 

Night Safety Bus is launched in Huddersfield town centre on Wednesday and Saturday nights