Christmas safety the focus as police campaign launched

The #HomeSafeTonight campaign is bringing various groups together, including licensed premises, to provide a safe haven for Christmas revellers and to support training to help bar staff understand their legal responsibilities when serving inebriated customers.

In Banbury town centre, a Departure Zone will be set up by TVP, Cherwell District Council community safety officers and community wardens, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue and St John’s Ambulance.

Primarily introduced to reduce the likelihood of people becoming the victims of street crime during the holiday period, the Departure Zone will also provide first aid for minor injuries.

In addition it will assist people in getting safely home and act as a meeting point for anyone separated from their friends.

Det Supt Paul Hayles, head of force CID, said: “These local initiatives are all part of our work to keep our streets and local premises safe places to visit on a night out. They go hand in hand with our advice on personal safety and our campaign this week to get #HomeSafeTonight.”

He added: “By close partnership working and the support of the local community to follow simple tips to get home safely we can reduce crime.”