Ive spent almost 4 years at Teesside and Im pretty much always round campus until late hours and I have never had an issue when its come to safety. Yeah there maybe the odd incident but the security on campus has always been great. Over the last few years, the town and the uni has really thrived. Linthorpe road alone is an international food hub which is great for students, top brands such as Mac (ladies!) have moved into town, a whole host of leisure activities to do which all have good public transport links. In answer to your question, the uni is always interacting with local businesses and organisations, the partnerships allows for students take advantage of volunteering or even paid opportunties. Im personally not from Middlesbrough myself but you have to see for yourself that its actually not as bad as people make out, its changed so much in the space of a couple years, its my home now.Hope that helps!