Police urge festive revellers to have fun but know their limits

As the festive celebrations begin, police are urging party-goers to have fun but stay safe and in control this Christmas.

In a bid to make revellers more aware of their safety during nights out and as they make their way home, police across the county will be handing out a range of free safety products, along with top tips to encourage people to consider safety as a top priority.

As part of the initiative, Cumbria Constabulary has joined forces with Northumbria police to launch a personal safety campaign entitled ‘Keys. Money. Phone. Plans to get home?’ to prompt revellers to think ahead as the festive party season gets in full flow.

Northumbria police launched the campaign for the first time last year and after its success, have been using it at key times to remind young women, men, students and groups of revellers to think ahead and plan their safe journey home.

Police now aim to replicate its success across Cumbria and help ensure party-goers enjoy themselves safely throughout the Christmas period.

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “We are coming up to the Christmas party season when local people get together with friends and enjoy themselves– but it’s easy to get carried away, have one drink too many and suddenly find yourself drunk, separated from friends, and feeling vulnerable.

“We want people to remember their festive celebrations for the right reasons and our campaign asks people to consider some simple things to help keep themselves safe.”

Police will be handing out information in credit card size that prompts people to consider how they will be getting home and provides a space to write an ‘In Case of Emergency’ (ICE) contact number, should they lose their mobile phones. With support from Crime and Reduction Partnerships from around the county, officers will also be issuing free ‘spikeys’ - plastic stoppers that prevent bottled drinks from being spiked and personal attack alarms in some of the bigger areas such as Carlisle, Brampton, Penrith, Workington, Whitehaven, Kendal and Barrow.

ACC Skeer continues: “Thinking ahead and pre-booking a taxi, discussing plans to get home with friends and making sure that you know your limits by enjoying yourself without becoming vulnerable, will make your night even more enjoyable.

“The consequences of drinking too much and becoming vulnerable or overstepping the mark can spoil your Christmas. As well as risking becoming a victim of crime, you could risk getting into trouble by a situation quickly escalating into violence or disorder.

“It’s not worth the risk. Enjoy drinks with friends but know your limits. Go too far and you can spoil your Christmas before it’s begun - you could see yourself banned from all Pubwatch bars and clubs or even under arrest.”

The campaign will encourage people planning a night out to follow this advice:

• Think: Keys, money, phone, plans to get home?
• Stick with your friends and look out for each other
• Stash some cash in case you lose your purse or wallet
• Pre-book a taxi home
• Don't make yourself vulnerable by getting too drunk
• Store an ICE (in case of emergency) number in your phone

Posters displaying this advice along with highlighting the consequences of people losing control of their senses will also be displayed in local shops and on short adverts played throughout December on CFM Radio.