Police are running a special operation to ensure students know how to keep themselves safe as freshers week takes place in Bolton.

Officers currently have operations in place across the force in the City of Manchester, Bolton, and Salford, with police currently conducting community engagement activities with new students, talking to them about personal safety, theft, burglary, and cybercrime.

GMP’s Crime Prevention Team also received funding for 2,000 student safe kits to be created, which include crime prevention leaflets, drink spiking kits, personal attack alarms and other novelty items to have handed out during the freshers’ events and across hotspot areas in Greater Manchester.

And police are also out on patrol across the night-time economy, covertly and visibly, particularly targeting high traffic areas and crime hotspots to ensure everyone continues to be safe and are free to enjoy themselves in Greater Manchester’s bustling night life.

A spokesman for GMP said: "Here are a few helpful tips to consider if you are a new or current student in Greater Manchester:

"We know it can be scary to report being spiked, but the police are here to help you. We will listen to you and take you seriously.

"It is not a crime to have illegal drugs in your system (unless you are driving), so please don’t let this stop you reporting spiking. Call 999 or 101 to report it to the police. We need to know about every possible spiking so we can investigate, even if no other crime has taken place.

"If you are out in a bar or club, you can report to a member of staff, who will be able to help and support you.

"If you are injured or have symptoms you are worried about after being spiked, call 111. If you think you’ve been sexually assaulted, go to your nearest sexual assault referral centre (SARC) for specialist care and support."

"If you’ve been affected by crime and you need confidential support or information, please visit our website for support organisations near you.

"The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is active within most bars, clubs, and other licensed businesses across Greater Manchester.

"People who feel unsafe, vulnerable, or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking for ‘Angela’, a fictitious member of staff.

"This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will look to support and assist them. This might be through re-uniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police."