Brighton has long been known for its vibrant nightlife, attracting students from the University of Sussex and Brighton University, as well as partygoers from across the UK. Each week night has its own promoted student club night, and the weekends see crowded bars and pubs. As a smaller UK city, and the country’s LGBT+ capital, Brighton is broadly considered to be a safe area. However, fears have grown among students as more cases of assault come to light, from figures that we should be able to trust when out at night. Therefore, The Badger has put together some of the key safety measures to remember on a night out.
In 2022, a man was found guilty of posing as a taxi driver in order to lure intoxicated women into his car in Brighton. The 66-year-old man had an incriminating search history, which featured searches for the closing times of popular bars and clubs in Brighton, as well as for the days of student club nights. The man was charged with kidnap, atttempted rape, and assault by the Hove Crown Court. The case, along with broader concerns surrounding safety, has left many questioning whether enough is being done to ensure that people can enjoy the city’s nightlife without fear of assault or harassment.
Another recent case, on 26 December 2024, has seen two men being arrested for the alleged rape of a 19-year-old man next to Old Steine at 3:30am. Similar cases have been far too common in recent years, especially in the area around the seafront.
However, this is just one of the risks faced at night in Brighton. Attention has also been called recently to the treatment that clubgoers receive by bouncers, and security guards. While their job is to keep us safe, cases of abuse of power have often been discussed. TripAdvisor reviews for ‘The Arch’ include titles such as ‘Degrading experience thanks to bored bounders’, and include accusations of manhandling. When reached out to them concerning these claims, The Arch responded that “the safety and security of our customers is our top priority. We are committed to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone who visits our venue. We take all feedback and reviews seriously, as they help us continuously improve our operations.”
They continued: “to ensure the safety of our club-goers, our door staff are fully trained in conflict management, first aid, and responsible decision-making. This includes refusing entry to individuals who appear overly intoxicated, do not have valid ID, or display argumentative or unruly behavior at the door. These measures are in place not just to protect the venue, but to maintain a secure environment for everyone inside. Our goal is to create a welcoming, fun, and safe space where all our guests feel comfortable. We regularly review our procedures and invest in staff training to uphold the highest standards of customer care and security.”
In response to this range of safety concerns, certain measures have been implemented. For example, in 2022, Sussex Police launched the Night Safety Marshal Scheme, which deploys specially trained marshals into busy areas of the city to assist those in need. This scheme is particularly used at night, when incidents of harassment and assault tend to rise.
Despite such efforts, a significant number of people remain unconvinced that enough is being done to ensure their safety. An Instagram survey, conducted by The Badger, revealed that a concerning 40% of respondents do not feel safe during a night out in the city, pointing to the continued anxiety over potential risks in the area. When asked whether clubs and bars were doing enough to ensure safety, a staggering 61% of respondents said no, while 31% believed these establishments were doing their best but that more could be done. Only 7% of respondents felt that clubs and bars were adequately addressing safety concerns.
One technological solution that has been proposed is an innovative app, Back Off. Back Up (BOBU), which was created by a mother and son team in order to help protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination on nights out. The app features an interactive map that highlights safe spaces across the city—places where users can shelter in case they feel unsafe or threatened. The app is available for download on the App Store, and Google Play.
Additionally in the poll survey, 90% of responders said that they get the bus home from the city centre at night, which is generally considered the safest mode of transport due to the busy student presence on the N25 bus, which transports students from Old Steine, all the way to campus. However, some users responded that they felt safest in an Uber, especially if alone.
In 2024, Uber rolled out a new late-night safety feature called Safety Preferences, an important feature to set up before getting into an Uber. The feature allows users to choose up to three safety features which will automatically turn on based on time or location. For example, users can choose to turn on safety features such as live tracking, as soon as their location is shown to be at a bar or a nightclub.
Some responders also stated that they usually walk home, to which The Badger recommends always staying in a group, and sharing live tracking location with friends.
As the city continues to evolve and grow as a hub for nightlife, it remains to be seen whether future measures— technological, community-based, or police-led—will be enough to reassure the public that a night out in Brighton can be as safe as it is enjoyable. However, until then, keep in mind the safety measures discussed above in order to remain as safe as possible.
Another article you may enjoy: Inside Brighton’s Illegally Rented Student Homes