East Sussex is a great place to study. Here is some information to help you stay safe and enjoy your stay here.

In an emergency, phone 999 to contact:

• the police
• the fire service
• the ambulance service
• the coastguard.

Phone calls to 999 are free from any phone, including mobiles.

You can also phone the emergency services on 112, the single European emergency number.

Non-emergency phone-calls to Sussex Police

If you need to contact the police but it is not an emergency you can:

•  phone 0845 60 70 999 or
• check the Sussex Police website.

Don’t:

• take money or gifts from people you don’t know
• carry a self-defence spray. These are illegal in England
• take your passport or all your money with you when you go out
• drop litter.

Do:

• carry a personal attack alarm if you want when you go out at night
• find a safe place in your host family’s house to leave your passport and money
• put valuable items like cameras and mobile phones somewhere safe and out of view
• take your host family’s address and emergency phone number for your language school  with you.

For more information about staying safe read our Stay safe out and about page.

Travel safely

• Plan your route and check bus or train times before you leave – visit our public transport page.
• Remember to look right when you cross the road – cars in England drive on the left.
• If you are travelling alone on bus or train, always sit near other passengers.
• Only share taxis with people you know.
• Never walk across or touch railway lines – they will kill you!

What should you do if someone follows,  threatens or attacks you? Go to a shop, a police station or any public building and ask someone to help and call the police.   Don’t worry about your level of English. The police will find someone who speaks your language, and you won’t need to pay for this.

If anything happens to you, or if you feel homesick or sad,  tell your teacher, your host family or someone you can trust.

Laws in England may be different from your home country.

Drugs and alcohol

• You must not carry drugs with you, unless they are prescribed by a doctor. To find out which drugs are illegal you can check our drugs page
• You must be 18 to buy alcohol. It is also against the law to buy alcohol for someone else under 18.

Smoking

• It is illegal to smoke in an inside public space like a pub, café or restaurant.
• You must be 18 to buy and smoke cigarettes or tobacco.

Weapons

• It is illegal to carry weapons, including self-defence sprays.

Here are some tips to remember when you go out:

• Don’t  steal – you will be arrested and probably sent home.
• Don’t drop litter – put it in the bin.
• Make sure you join the back of a queue at a shop, café  or bus stop – don’t push in
• Be quiet on your way home at night.
• Don’t block the paths of people in streets – if you need to group together, find an area with plenty of space.