Celebrate Safely

Celebrate Safely this Christmas 

As Christmas is approaching we are expecting more people to be visiting our towns to experience our vibrant nightlife, by attending work parties, catching up with friends and family and New Year Eve celebrations.  The Safer North West Leicestershire Partnership have launched this years Celebrate Safely campiagn to help keep residents and visitors safe this winter.

Here are some schemes you may need to use one day:

Ask Angela 

Ask For Angela is a national scheme that helps anyone who is feeling vulnerable on a night out to get the support they need.  Sometimes you can find yourself in a situation that isn’t safe or that makes you feel uncomfortable. In premises that operate Ask for Angela, you can discreetly ask for help from a member of staff if this happens.  Look out for the posters while in a venue.

The assistance you receive might be reuniting you with a friend, seeing you to a taxi, or if it’s a serious safety issue, alerting venue security and/or the police.

What is drink spiking?

Nationally the police received 6,732 reports of spiking in the year ending April 2023, 957 relating to needle spiking.

According to data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council published in December 2022, based on people who have reported that they have been a victim of spiking: 

• the average age of victims across all types of spiking was 26 years
• women were the victims in a large majority of all spiking offences (74%)

A person’s drink can be spiked to make them more vulnerable for a variety of motives, including theft or sexual assault.  This isnt common but it is something to be aware of while out. 

Different types of spiking can include the following substances being added to drinks:

• Alcohol
• ‘Date rape’ drugs
• Illegal drugs
• Prescription drugs (e.g. stimulants, tranquilisers, sedatives, opiates)

The effects of drink spiking vary depending on what you’ve been spiked with. Your symptoms could include:

• Lowered inhibitions
• Loss of balance
• Feeling sleepy
• Visual problems
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unconsciousness

The symptoms will depend on lots of factors such as the substance or mix of substances used (including the dose), your size and weight, and how much alcohol you have already consumed.  To find out more visit Spike Aware UK

If you think you've been spiked

If you think you or a friend has been spiked it’s important to tell someone as soon as you can. 

• Alert a member of staff or security if you're at a venue.
• Stay with your friend and keep talking to them.
• Don’t let them go home on their own or leave with someone you don’t know.
• Report to the police online, on 101 or, in an emergency, call 999. 

If you or someone else have symptoms

• If you are worried call 111.
• Call an ambulance if the symptoms get worse.

Premises accross Coalville and Ashby have been provided with drink testing kits and have aniti-spiking covers for drinks.  Just ask at the bar.

Getting help and advice on alcohol and illegal substances  

Even if you consider yourself a low to moderate drinker, you may wish to look further into the long term effects fo alcohol consumption. To find out more about alcohol facts, advice and support or handy online tools visit Drink Aware.

For information on drugs get honest information and advice from Frank.

If you feel you need further support and advice contact Turning Point Leicestershrie and Rutland for a referal.

Your Right, Thats Wrong 

The national ‘You’re Right, That’s Wrong’ campaign is calling on men to help make our communities a safer place for women, by stepping in when a mate’s behaviour is out of line.

So, whether you’re being direct, distracting or getting help – having the conversation with a mate when something’s not right – can make a real difference.

We Don't Carry 

Leicestershire Police’s #LivesNotKnives campaign is We Don’t Carry which aims to reach youth audiences to provide education about the impact and potential consequences of carrying knives.

It directs people to the Live Safe website which has resources for both young people and trusted adults.

Walk Away

Violence in the night-time economy can have devastating consequences.  “One-punch” encounters can result in serious injuries and even death.

We want men to look out for the early behaviours in themselves and their friends, which might lead to altercations.

We want to encourage male peer groups to support each other in making different choices and encourage individuals to recognise those personal trigger points and to make the right choice and Walk Away

Getting Home 

We hope you have a great night out, but it is important that you plan your journey home.  Go out together, go home together with a pre-booked taxi. 

 

Pubwatch - What is it? 

Pubwatch schemes are local, independent groups formed of people working in licensed premises. They often take part in safety and alcohol awareness campaigns. The objectives is to tackle and prevent anti social behaviour and criminal activity. 

Pubwatch schemes also have the power to ban people from all scheme premises for behaving in a manor that puts staff and customers at risk.  This can be anti-social behaviour, violence, drug taking, criminal damage or allegations of a sexual nature.  You do not have to be arrested, charged or convicted to be considered for a Pubwatch ban.

Pubwatch schemes operate in both Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville and are supported by the district council and police. 

To find out more about Pubwatch visit Welcome to National Pubwatch, a voluntary organisation