The University of Bristol  has strengthened its security arrangements and event-management procedures for open days and graduation ceremonies. This follows concerns raised by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) about the risk of disruption by anti-Israel protestors.

UKLFI wrote to the University ahead of this summer’s events seeking clarification of what steps had been taken since earlier incidents in which protests disrupted official open days and caused distress to visitors, including prospective students and their families. UKLFI had previously raised concerns with the University after those incidents, which had left some attendees feeling unsafe or unwelcome on campus.

In its letter, UKLFI highlighted the importance of ensuring that official university events can proceed without disruption and that campuses remain welcoming and safe for all attendees, including Jewish students and families. The letter also referred to the wider context of rising antisemitism on UK campuses, the University’s legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, and its broader common law duty of care to provide a safe environment for students and to take reasonable steps to protect them from harm.

In its response, the University confirmed that it has implemented a number of improvements to its arrangements for graduation and open day events, including:

• allocating additional security officers to higher-risk locations on campus
• increasing the number of student workers supporting events and deploying them strategically
• introducing a clearer two-stage escalation process linking student workers, zone managers and senior staff
• reviewing and updating event protocols, with oversight from the Academic Leadership Board and University Executive Board
• incorporating revised procedures into staff training and introducing enhanced briefing sessions
• working with the Jewish Society (JSoc) during planning and review, including enabling JSoc to have a visible presence at open days through a Student Services stall

The University also confirmed its continuing commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming campus environment for all.

A UKLFI spokesperson commented: “We are pleased that the University of Bristol has confirmed that it has strengthened its security arrangements and event protocols ahead of this summer’s open days and graduation ceremonies. We hope these steps will ensure that Jewish students, families, and prospective applicants can attend University events this summer feeling safe and welcome.”