November 15th 2025.
Recently, there have been numerous accounts circulating online of men waiting in cars outside clubs, targeting drunk young women as they leave and offering them rides. As the excitement of newfound freedom overwhelms first-year university students spilling out of clubs in the early hours, sleek cars can often be seen idling just beyond the bouncers and barriers. These men are not there to party, but rather to prey on vulnerable women. They have become known as the "clean-up crew" and have become a troubling fixture in the UK's student nightlife scene.
This term, widely shared on social media, refers to groups of men who linger outside nightclubs, bars, and even concerts, specifically targeting young women who are intoxicated or trying to find their way back to campus. Natalie, a student at Portsmouth University, shared her experience with Metro, saying, "They don't actually go to the club event, they just come when it finishes, wait around outside to talk to girls and give them drugs and all sorts." She also explained that their presence is predictable, with a group of men always waiting outside every event, and the bigger the event, the bigger the crowd.
Natalie also revealed that the "clean-up crew" is not just limited to the UK, as she experienced their tactics in London, where they showed up in expensive cars like Mercedes, Bentleys, and Range Rovers, and were older men, some even in their 40s. She has been approached multiple times and has been promised everything from holidays to free flights just to get into their cars.
The tactics of these men go beyond just offering rides, as Natalie also described how they deliberately isolate women to increase their control. "If you're in a group of four girls and four men approach you, each one targets a specific girl. If one girl then decides to go off to his house, a divide is created," she explained. She also recalled a distressing incident where a heavily intoxicated girl was being given nitrous oxide balloons by one of the men, despite her friends pleading with him to let her go.
This disturbing trend has caught the attention of Metro, who recently launched a year-long campaign called "This Is Not Right" in partnership with Women's Aid to address the epidemic of violence against women. They aim to raise awareness about the scale of this issue and encourage women to share their stories.
When asked about measures in place to protect students from this type of behavior, a spokesperson from Portsmouth University stated that they have safety initiatives and a reporting tool in place. However, Natalie shared that many of her peers are hesitant to report these incidents as clean-up crew culture has become normalized, especially on social media.
While there are some posts warning students about the dangers of the clean-up crew, platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are flooded with videos showing these men in their cars, circling popular nightlife spots and chatting with young women before they hop into the passenger seat. One video captioned "clean up crew getting ready to take all the 1st years home after a motive" has been liked by thousands.
It is alarming to see how this predatory behavior has become normalized and even glorified by some, while it poses a serious threat to the safety of young women. It is important for universities and authorities to take action and for individuals to speak up and report any incidents. Together, we can work towards making our nightlife a safer space for everyone.
There's a disturbing trend that's been making its rounds online - stories of men waiting in cars outside clubs, targeting drunk young women as they leave in the early hours of the morning. As first-year students revel in their newfound freedom, these men sit idling in their sleek cars just beyond the bouncers and barriers. They're not there to party, they're there to pick up. This group, known as the "clean-up crew," has become a troubling fixture in the UK's student nightlife scene.
The term, which has been widely circulated on social media, refers to these men who linger outside nightclubs, bars, and concerts, preying on young women who are often drunk or trying to find their way back to campus. Natalie, a student at Portsmouth University, shared her experience with Metro, saying, "They don't actually go to the club event, they just come when it finishes, wait around outside to talk to girls and give them drugs and all sorts." She explained that their presence is predictable, with a group of men always waiting outside every event, with larger events drawing bigger crowds.
Natalie also revealed that the situation is even worse in London, where the clean-up crew arrives in luxury cars like Mercedes, Bentleys, and Range Rovers, and are often much older than university students, some even in their 40s. She has been approached multiple times and has been offered everything from free trips to flights just to get into their cars. "They're very, very persistent," she said. "They'll offer you everything. I've been promised holidays, free flights, all sorts. They take it to the max just to get you home."
Not only do these men offer material things to lure women into their cars, but they also use manipulative tactics to isolate them from their friends. Natalie explained, "Each one targets a specific girl. If one girl then decides to go off to his house, a divide is created." She recalled a specific night when a heavily intoxicated girl was taken to a man's car, and her friends begged for her to be released. However, the man continued to give her balloons filled with Nitrous Oxide, a dangerous and potent gas, further compromising her ability to make decisions.
This disturbing behavior is not something that should be normalized or accepted. That's why on November 25, 2024, Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women. In partnership with Women's Aid, This Is Not Right aims to bring attention to the prevalence of this issue and the urgent need for action.
When asked about protocols in place to protect students from the clean-up crew, a spokesperson from Portsmouth University stated, "We have a number of safety initiatives to help students enjoy a safe night out that we promote throughout the year." They also have a tool for students to report concerns and take appropriate action. However, Natalie shared that her peers are often reluctant to report these incidents, as the clean-up crew culture has been normalized online.
While there are some posts warning students about the dangers of the clean-up crew, social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are also flooded with videos of these men circling nightlife hotspots in their cars. In some videos, young women can be seen chatting through tinted windows before getting into the passenger seat. This disturbing trend has even been shared with a popular hashtag, #rabbitgoesboom, further perpetuating the normalization of this predatory behavior.
It's time to take a stand against the clean-up crew and the violence against women that it represents. Join us in the This Is Not Right campaign and share your story with us at [email] to help bring attention to this national emergency. Together, we can work towards a safer and more respectful society for all.
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