Your Last Pint?
Humberside Police has launched a campaign aimed at encouraging people to drink safely and stay safe.
Such behaviour can lead them to commit crime – or increase their chances of being a victim of crime.
The Last Pint marketing campaign is being launched this week as the festive and New Year period is historically a time when there can be problems caused by people whose control, judgement, concentration and behaviour are affected by alcohol.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of what could happen through ill judged decision making due to the influence of alcohol.
It aims to influence behaviour to address these issues, with a design that reinforces the message of what could happen.
Humberside Police are out in force over the festive period and will be working with the Ambulance Service in the city centre to reassure and protect people.
Officers are urging people not to increase the risk to themselves and others of alcohol related violence by drinking heavily.
The Last Pint marketing message is being delivered through various outdoor media; poster sites in targeted locations near off-licenses and bars, posters on buses in the region, a large billboard outside Hull Royal Infirmary and radio trailers running on KCFM (Your Shout).
Beer mats advertising the campaign’s message have been distributed at pubs and clubs in the area. Licensing officers will be meeting with licensees to discuss the campaign, provide advice and distribute campaign beer mats.
Inspector Iain Dixon, from Hull’s Public Order Team, said: “The festive period is a time for people to socialise and enjoy themselves. Many people come into the city centre during this period and do so without incident or trouble.
“Unfortunately there are always a few who drink too much and then are more likely to become involved in crime and disorder, either as a victim or an offender. My intention is to have sufficient officers on the streets to allow people to enjoy themselves whist providing a safe and secure environment.
“Officers will deal quickly and decisively with those causing trouble so as not to spoil the environment for the law abiding majority. Extra officers will be on duty to ensure this happens.
“This Christmas I would ask people to try and enjoy themselves whilst respecting the people around them and the city environment."
The joint Humberside Police and Ambulance Service CitySafe paramedic car has been patrolling the city together every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the last two a half years.
This has helped ensure the public receive rapid treatment to minor injuries, in the knowledge that a police officer is close by to ensure treatment can be administered without the fear of public order offences.
This scheme has been a huge success and has reduced the number of incidents where an ambulance needs to attend. It has also helped to protect Ambulance Service staff from harm or intimidation.
North East Lincolnshire's alcohol and violence reduction champion Insp Tom Shaw, said: “It is important that members of our community drink responsibly and know their limits.
“People who drink excessively can put themselves in vulnerable positions as well as doing things they would never do sober and will no doubt regret at a later stage.
“The last thing we aim to do is stop people enjoying a night out, but we do want to encourage people to have a safe trouble-free evening.
“To that end, we are working closely with both local venues and door staff throughout the area in order to ensure that police are on hand quickly to assist door staff should trouble arise either in or outside a venue by providing direct communication between staff and officers on weekend public order patrols.
“Members of the licensing team will be out and about over the festive period along with officers equipped with head cams in order to capture footage of any activity in real time as it unfolds and local door staff will be working hard to prevent under age drinkers from entering venues they shouldn’t.
“This is just an overview of the activity during this busy time of year however it demonstrates our intention to do what we can to prevent individuals from drinking too much and getting out of hand.
“These people can be a drain on resources and can ruin a night out for others unfortunate enough to come into contact with them.
“The message is simple, drink sensibly and know when to stop as local door staff and police will not tolerate alcohol related issues.”
PC Chris Chapman East Riding licensing officer said “Additional police patrols will be operating in and around licensed premises in the East Riding to support licensees, staff members and customers, to ensure a high visibility presence, to identify problems early and deal with them quickly, fairly and firmly.”
He added “Licensing officers would ask customers to drink sensibly, look after your friends and partners and ensure your behaviour is appropriate and does not offend others. You do not have to drink to excess to have a good night out.”
North Lincolnshire licensing officer Martin Garfitt said: “The Safe Haven will be running again this Christmas and New Year in conjunction with East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), Red Cross and Maximum Security in the car park of Lidl's store Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe from Friday 19 December 2008 through to New Years Day.
“EMAS will be providing paramedic cover and the Red Cross volunteers to prioritise any person requiring medical assistance from 2100hrs each evening with the aim of reducing the demands on both the ambulance service and the casualty department of Scunthorpe General Hospital.
“Assistance will be available for anyone requiring it, for example people who have become separated from their friends.”
