Christmas revellers are being warned not to put themselves at risk by drinking excessively at home before a night on the town.
AdvertisementAs a member of the Safer Lancashire Partnership, Lancashire Constabulary is supporting the group’s festive ‘Make Your Night Last’ campaign, which will run until the New Year.
The campaign is based on research carried out by Lancaster University for the Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, which showed a rise in a trend called ‘preloading’- or drinking to get drunk at home before going to a bar or nightclub.
Billboards in Preston, Chorley and Lancaster, along with posters in bars plus targeted advertising on Facebook, will all be used to spread the message that drinking too much before stepping out of the front door can seriously damage your night out.
A Facebook page has also been set up to encourage young people to share their tips on how they make their night last longer and safer, whether that is alternating alcoholic drinks with water or making sure your stay with your friends.
Superintendent Bill McMahon, Lancashire Police’s lead on alcohol harm, said: “As more people tend to go out drinking over the festive period we often see an increase in alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder in the weeks leading up to Christmas,
“We will be carrying out high visibility patrols throughout December and into the New Year in order to prevent and detect alcohol related crime.
“The safety of people using our town centres at night time is of the utmost importance.
“This is why we are working closely with our other Safer Lancashire partners to make sure everyone has an enjoyable and safe night out.”
Police in Preston are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a pedestrian was seriously injured in a road traffic collision on the A59 New Hall Lane on Wednesday.
The collision occurred around 8.45pm on the pedestrian crossing near to the BP garage and the junction of Farrington Crescent.
A Toyota Aygo travelling out of Preston has collided with a 50 year old man from Longridge as he crossed the road from the garage.
The man sustained serious head and chest injuries and is currently in a stable condition at Royal Preston Hospital.
The driver of the Aygo, a 59 year old man from Chorley, was uninjured.
Sergeant Steve Wignall said: “An investigation is underway and I would appeal to anybody that witnessed this collision or thinks that they saw the male pedestrian prior to the collision to contact police on 08451 25 35 45.”