GETTING home safely and avoiding spiked drinks are among the messages in Warwickshire Police’s summer campaign to help keep people safe.
Officers are urging people to look our for each other and enjoy themselves responsibly during the ongoing Euro 2020 football tournament, and with lockdown restrictions set to be lifted further over the summer.
A new section on the force’s website offers advice on staying safe and includes a section to help people get home safely, as well as advice on areas such watching out for spiked drinks.
The force says extra officers will be on duty at key times to help keep people safe and protect communities over the coming months.
The launch of the campaign comes after the force had one of its busiest weekends in the last three years.
The new awareness campaign will run across social media and pubs and clubs across the county.
Supt Mike Smith, head of community and response policing, said: “We’ve spent the last year of the pandemic doing everything we can to look after each other and keep each other safe. With the nice weather, a summer of sport and lockdown restrictions lifting we’re urging people to keep doing this.
“This isn’t about stopping people from having a good time; it’s about taking simple precautions to look after yourself and your friends.
“We’re urging people to know their limits when it comes to alcohol. You’re more likely to be involved in violent crime if you are drunk – take responsibility for your own behaviour and know when to stop.
“We also want people to take responsibility for their friends and take them away from any escalating trouble. By the time the police become involved in an altercation it has generally become violent. Research has shown that most often friends are best placed to deescalate a situation early before it descends into violence.
“Finally, we want people to look out for their friends and help them get home safely following a night out, whether this be walking them home or taking them to a taxi stand or bus stop.”
