Partners Promote Safer Drinking

Blackpool is well known as the place to enjoy a fantastic night out and this year local police and their partners are making sure visitors to the town can do so safely.

As part of Operation Summer Nights, officers together with colleagues from partner agencies, will be distributing free water and drink lids and tops to clubs and pubs in the resort.

Sergeant Billy Giffin heads up the Nightsafe team for Blackpool police. He said, “By distributing free water we are encouraging people to alternate their drinks with water. The success of the ALTN8 campaign is already evident with people alternating alcohol with a soft drink or water. By doing so, not only can you reduce the long term harmful effects of drinking, you don’t have a hangover in the morning. More to the point you can remember what you’ve done and the good time you had the previous night.

“Officers will also be distributing drink lids, which carry a ‘think before you drink’ message and are designed to remind people to drink responsibly as well as take care of their drink, deterring drink and drug spiking.

“Statistically Blackpool doesn’t have particular problems with drink and drug spiking however we would still urge people to be careful. Having too much to drink can make people vulnerable to theft and violent crime, including sexual assaults. Although the tops and lids don’t hold any guarantees they remind people to think twice about what they are drinking, and to protect their glasses if unattended. Also if you’re going outside for a cigarette, don’t leave a half empty glass, finish your drink and get another one when you return.

Cllr Tony Williams, Chair of BSafe Blackpool, and Cabinet Member for community safety, drugsand crime, said: "We are re-launching the BSafe Blackpool safer drinking campaign in a bid to remind pub and club goers to think when they drink. By keeping an eye on your drink, andnever leavingtheglass or bottleunattended,you help keep an eye onyour personal safetytoo. This is especially true in light of the smoke-free legislation which has led to more people stepping outside of smoke-free venues for a cigarette.

"We are hoping that the speciallybrandedlids, which were successfully used in various bars across Blackpool earlier this summer, will now be welcomed in another wave of venues including some of the town's clubs."

Top tips for safer drinking:

• Alternate your drinks with a soft drink
• Don’t drink too much – know your limit and pace yourself
• If you’re in a group of friends keep an eye out for each other
• Keep your drink with you at all times – never leave it unattended
• Buy your own drinks and never accept a drink from somebody you don’t know
• Don’t think you’re immune to spiking; it can affect Males AND Females of all ages
• If you think you’ve had your drink spiked report it to the Police.