Knowing your limits when it comes to drinking and behaviour

With the first pay day weekend since nightclubs reopened coming up, we are issuing a reminder to know your limits when it comes to drinking and behaviour.

We want everyone to enjoy their night out – and remember it for all the right reasons.

• Always keep your drink with you, if you are offered a drink by someone you do not trust, remember that you do not have to accept it. You do not know what may have been put in the drink after they have bought it from the bar. If you do drink something and start to feel unwell, stick with your friends and ask for help from the venue staff.
• Consent must be freely given, do not force someone into doing something or think they are ‘playing hard to get.’ Respect the person you are talking to and do not assume they are thinking the same as you.
• If someone looks like they have drunk too much or are sleeping, they are unable to give consent. Do not take advantage of this situation.
• Know your limits when it comes to drinking alcohol, don’t think you have to keep up with your friends, having water in between alcoholic drinks can help.
• If you are planning on drinking alcohol, leave your car keys at home and do not let one of your friends drive even if they insist that they are okay to drive after drinking alcohol.

If you feel unsafe in a bar or pub, you can ask for ‘Angela’ at any Pubwatch venue. The Ask for Angela initiative allows anyone to go up to a member of bar staff and ask to speak to ‘Angela’. Staff will then call for a taxi or discreetly help you get out of the situation. To find out more about this initiative, you can read more here: 'ASK FOR ANGELA' IF YOU ARE FEELING UNSAFE - National Pubwatch

Before going out with your friends, it may also be a good idea to download HollieGuard, a free personal safety app. Once enabled, it will track your location and if you feel in danger, simply shake your phone where it will then record both audio and visual footage, you can find more about this safety app here: Hollie Guard Personal Safety APP

We hope that everyone will be able to get home safely however if this is not the case and you need to report something to us please use any of the contact methods below - and if you are in an emergency always call 999.

If you have been sexually assaulted but do not feel that you can report this to the police then you can still access support from the NHS and local charities: 

• Help after rape and sexual assault - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• SV2 - Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence - Home