Extra police patrols for university freshers' week

Police have been educating students on the risks they face on a night out

With university courses restarting this month, police in Devon have been putting on extra patrols to help students feel safe during freshers' week - and educate them about the risks of a night out.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it was also running joint patrols with Exeter City Council to monitor for suspicious activity, such as unlicensed taxis.

Sector Insp Nathan Johnson said as a parent of a university student himself he wanted his daughter - and others - to be able to "dress how she wants, do what she wants but feel safe".

One student said she was "reassured" speaking to police, as well as knowing where to "outreach if you feel unsafe", including through apps.

As well as an increased police presence, a team of street pastors has been on hand to educate students on the dangers of spiking and hand out anti-spiking bottle caps.

Another student said: "Our accommodation at East Park has campus security there really late and they have like green pathways back that have cameras on them so I feel really safe after a night out."

As a parent himself sector inspector Nathan Johnson said he wants students to dress and behave how they want but feel safe

Sector Insp Johnson said: "The city centre is covered with CCTV that's monitored.

"We've got safer routes for people to walk back to university halls and on lampposts there are signs that they can ring a number and the CCTV will look at them."

He said if students did not feel safe they could go into the nearest shop or venue and ask staff to contact police to attend, or they should dial 999 if they were in immediate danger.