Think When You Drink

Stay Safe - Think When You Drink

West Yorkshire Police are running a safety campaign along with a hard-hitting short film to raise awareness of sexual offences in the summer months.

During the summer months sexual assaults against women tend to increase significantly which is why police officers and volunteers are taking part in Operation Northdale for the third year running.

The operation involves delivering messages in towns and cities across West Yorkshire about how to stay safe on a night out.

Mobile display vehicles will be playing the short film in city centres around West Yorkshire highlighting the potential dangers vulnerable women face when on a night out.

Posters will be displayed around shopping centres, pubs and clubs around the county.

Bluetooth technology will be used to project messages to revelers and posters and postcards will also be on display.

During December 2009 whilst the awareness campaign was underway, officers recorded a 56% reduction in serious sexual offences in the county.

The message is…..have fun, know your limits, stay with your friends and arrange a licensed taxi ride home.

Working with partner agencies and volunteers, officers will be on high visibility patrols around town and city centres in order to provide a presence and take action on people cruising around in cars posing as taxi drivers.

Street Angels will also be out offering a helping hand, engaging with people who are coming into the towns and cities.

Chief Superintendent Barry South of Local Policing said: “We want everyone to have a good time during their nights out over the coming weeks and then to make sure they get home safely. Our officers will be out providing reassurance and assistance to revelers, particularly vulnerable women.

Z Cards will be distributed around West Yorkshire's towns and city centres.

“I would urge everyone to drink responsibly and avoid making themselves vulnerable through binge drinking. “It is vital that people look out for bogus taxi drivers and ensure that, when they do take a taxi, it is either pre-booked or is from a recognised rank.

“I hope that this campaign will make people sit up and take note of these simple measures, to keep themselves out of trouble.”

West Yorkshire Police has commissioned it’s own dedicated rape investigation unit called Operation Topaz.

Z Cards will be distributed around West Yorkshire's towns and city centres.

The Unit was established in November 2007 to improve the investigative expertise applied to rape cases and increase the number of successful prosecutions.

The team - which covers the county, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from offices in Bradford and Wakefield - is led by a Detective Inspector and comprises 35 investigators. They work closely with their partner support and prosecution organisations.

The officers and staff are specifically trained to investigate reports of rape and they retain ownership of cases from the initial report right through to the court stage. Their work is supported by dedicated medical examination and interview facilities which provide an enhanced level of care for victims and improve the opportunity for gathering forensic evidence.

Detective Inspector Mark Gaunt said:

“We want to be able to prevent people falling victim of a sexual offence. “Sexual offences are notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute and at this time are still largely unreported. Victims of sexual assault can be confident that when the police answer their call for help, they will be put first, all the time, every time and they will be provided experienced and trained specialist services.

“Victims of rape or any sexual offence have their lives shattered by this type of crime and take years to overcome so I cannot stress enough the importance of being responsible and careful when out in West Yorkshire’s towns and cities this summer.
“Stay with a group of trusted friends, keep drinking under control, and make sure you are able to assert yourself properly. Have an enjoyable night out.”

The dates of the campaign will be;-

21st, 23rd, 24th, 28th, 30th and 31st July.

4th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 13th and 14th August and August Bank Holiday week-end.

Officers will be in town centres across West Yorkshire in the evenings and during the daytime.

Partnerships have been established with the following organisations;-