30 November 2007
(Issued in association with Milton Keynes Community Safety Partnership)
With Christmas just over three weeks away, businesses will be soon holding their Christmas parties and people will be getting into the festive spirit.
Both police and the Primary Care Trust are reminding people of the consequences of drinking too much and encouraging drinkers to stay safe on a night out.
There is evidence that the number of reported assaults including sexual, domestic abuse, rapes and other acts of violence which are alcohol related, has a history of rising during the festive period across the country.
Police will be launching a month of action to tackle violence in public places in the run up to Christmas and the New Year. The Milton Keynes Community Safety Partnership is also working to reduce violence and will hold a week of action later in the month.
In the build up to the week of action (10-17 December), a team will be handing out free bottles of water to party goers in the Theatre District/Xscape area on Saturday 8 December 2007
As well as the Community Safety Partnership, the team will consist of representatives from the Safer Communities Unit of Milton Keynes Council, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police. They will be positioned outside Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's mobile exhibition unit and will be distributing the water between 10pm and 2am.
The idea is that this approach will:
- Promote safe, sensible and social drinking
- Promote responsible drinking by encouraging individuals to pace themselves, alternate alcohol with soft drinks and re-hydrate regularly
- Encourage a calm atmosphere
- Promote general safety messages to ensure everyone can enjoy a safe night out
Neil Atkinson, Reducing Violence Project Manager, for the Community Safety Partnership, said: “We chose to distribute water as part of the week as often people are not aware of how many units they are consuming on a night out and can forget to drink soft drinks to help keep themselves hydrated.
"Handing out water focuses the attention of drinkers and contributes towards a calmer, safer atmosphere. We’ve selected the area between the Theatre District and the Xcsape to capture those people walking between bars and to clubs”.
Local Policing Commander for Milton Keynes Police, Superintendent Gez Chiariello, said: “When you go for a night out make sure you are sensible about how much you drink and you know your limits.
"Nationally, it is evident that the number of violent incidents where alcohol is involved increases over Christmas and New Year and we do not want that national trend to include Milton Keynes.
“Stick with your friends and if you need any further advice please visit our website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk.”
It is also a known fact when a person is intoxicated with alcohol and they become sexually active they can often forget to use protection, which may result in an unwanted pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease.
The multi-agency campaign Safer Streets has been designed to give the public advice about safe drinking that can help stop you becoming a victim or crime or catching an STI or STD.
Drinking too much can make you overconfident, reckless, impulsive and aggressive. It can also blur your judgement and lead to you losing control.
Rachel Flowers, Assistant Director of Public Health from the Primary Care Trust, said: “Keep your drink with you at all times. Don’t get so drunk that you can’t say NO. Look out for your mates – and always use a condom. Think. Be safe. No regrets.”
Tips for safer drinking
- Make sure you have had something to eat before a night out – never go out drinking on an empty stomach
- Drink water before you go out so you don’t start the evening feeling thirsty
- Decide how much you are going to drink before you go out and stick to your limit
- Alternate your alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink to help pace yourself
- Have a bite to eat during the evening – this helps slow down alcohol absorption
- Avoid rounds – they can encourage you to drink more than you intend
- Don’t make it easy for your drink to be spiked by leaving it unattended and never accept a drink from a stranger
Tips for a safer night out
- Keep an eye on your mates and stick together so you can look out for each other
- Don’t flash your cash or mobile phone about when you’re out
- Avoid confrontations and fights
- Plan your night out - think about how you are going to get home before you go out. Pre-book a licensed taxi or know the times of the last bus or train to get you home.
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, Drinkline can offer advice as well as contact details of local agencies which can help. Call the free phone number 0800 917 82 82.