Archived press release

Date Published: 16/08/07

A handy pocket-sized guide has been published to aid community safety in Aylesbury town centre. The ‘Safe Night Out’ guide, produced by Aylesbury Vale District Council and Thames Valley Police, contains useful hints and tips on how to...

A handy pocket-sized guide has been published to aid community safety in Aylesbury town centre.

The ‘Safe Night Out’ guide, produced by Aylesbury Vale District Council and Thames Valley Police, contains useful hints and tips on how to enjoy trouble-free nights out.

The free booklet gives advice on safe and responsible drinking and spells out the consequences if anyone is caught acting irresponsibly. It also provides information on getting home safely along with a map of taxi ranks in the town centre.

Hints and tips include: don’t leave drinks unattended; don’t mix drink with drugs; keep hydrated with water; only use licensed taxis and private hire vehicles; and never enter a private hire vehicle that you have not booked.

The mini-guides will be distributed to pubs and clubs across Aylesbury town centre over the next few days and will also be available from council offices and Aylesbury police station. Aylesbury Pubwatch and the Buckinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team have both lent their support to the initiative.

The production of this booklet is part of a major campaign to make it safer to live and socialise in the Thames Valley area. Called Safer Streets, the initiative is aimed at reducing excessive drinking and alcohol-related crime and disorder.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters at AVDC, said: “We want people to come to Aylesbury, enjoy themselves and, most importantly, keep themselves safe. The Safe Night Out guide provides invaluable advice on how to avoid problems on a night out and encourages people to act responsibly. We are confident it will have the desired impact to ensure people make appropriate arrangements to protect themselves so they are able to enjoy everything our town has to offer.”

Chief Inspector Dick Auger, for Thames Valley Police at Aylesbury, said: “When you go for a night out make sure you are sensible about how much you drink and know your limits. Nationally, it is evident that the number of assaults where alcohol is involved is increasing and we do not want that national trend to include Aylesbury. Stick with your friends and if you need any further advice please visit our website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk.”