A new dedicated hub has been opened at University College Birmingham where students will be able to meet and engage with local police officers as part of a collaboration with West Midlands Police.

The Safer Partnerships Hub has been set up inside the University's Summer Row campus building, providing a space where students can talk to officers and get to know the local policing team.

The hub also holds a range of useful leaflets and documents offering advice on safeguarding, wellbeing and other services available to the University College Birmingham community.

Opened for the first time this week at an official launch on Tuesday, the hub is the product of two years of collaborative work between the University's Safeguarding Team and West Midlands Police, with additional involvement from the Guild of Students.

Police Liaison Officer David Dargie, who supported on the hub's development, said: "We always had this vision of a collaborative working space with police alongside peer-to-peer support from the Guild, offering bespoke advice and help for young people. 

"If students have got a question, they can come and ask the officers and PCSOs working from there – it offers easy access, as well as familiarising them with the presence of police around campus." 

Jacqueline Duggan, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at University College Birmingham, said: "We want our students to know that the police are approachable and here to support them and build relationships, as are the University's Safeguarding team. 

"Come and talk to us – we want you to feel able and confident, knowing we are here to help you and offer advice and guidance wherever possible."