Planning a big night out to celebrate the bank holiday weekend?

Don't become a victim.

Excessive drinking is not only dangerous to your health but can leave you vulnerable to crime and violence.

Think Safe Drink Safe aims to reduce alcohol-related crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour across Greater Manchester while promoting a safe night out.

The campaign was introduced following national concern about the developing rise in 'binge drinking' and promotes responsible drinking, raises awareness of the potential problems excessive drinking can lead to and encourages and promote the use of safe transport home.

Think Safe Drink Safe was used effectively when changes to the licensing laws were introduced in November 2005 and police powers were increased including expanded closure powers and higher penalties for public order offences and drunk and disorderly.

As part of the campaign a variety of successful initiatives have been introduced across the Force area to discourage binge drinking and prevent alcohol related crime.

All Think Safe Drink Safe initiatives are supported by a high profile, internationally acclaimed, advertising and marketing campaign, which features key messages such as 'Pace your drinks', 'Plan your night out' and 'Stay with friends'.

The campaign attempts to attack the culture of binge drinking and provides helpful advice and safety messages to late-night drinkers

Remember the following when planning a night out:

Avoid trouble by walking away. If a friend starts becoming aggressive, calm them down , remove them from the situation and encourage them to sober up.

Pace your drinks.

Drink plenty of water.

Always try to eat something before a night out.

If you feel too drunk, switch to soft drinks for a while.

Don’t leave your drink unattended, even when going to the toilet.

Never accept a drink from anyone you do not completely trust.

Stay with Friends.

Go out together and leave together. Do not wander off from your friends without letting anyone know where you are going and arrange a meeting point in case you do get separated.
Take safe transport

Pre-book a taxi to take you home and arrange to be picked up from a safe, and well-lit meeting point.

Make sure the taxi you ordered is the one you get into.

Know the car details and ensure the driver knows what name it was booked under.

Find out where taxi ranks are and try to choose staffed ones.

If alone, book a taxi firm you know and trust. Do not get a private hire car (they look like a normal car) unless you have booked them first. Only hackney carriages (traditional black cabs) are insured to carry passengers who have flagged them down.

Always sit in the back, preferably behind the driver.

Some pubs and clubs will book you a taxi and allow you to wait in their premises.

Night buses run until around 3am in parts of Greater Manchester. Find out when the last bus leaves so that you don't become stranded.

Try to catch the bus from stops with bus loaders. If there isn't any in your town, use well-lit bus stops in busy areas.

If alone, sit as near to the driver as possible and avoid empty upper decks.

Tell the driver or guard if someone bothers you.

Avoid walking home alone. If you have no other choice, walk in the middle of the pavement, avoid short cuts and face ongoing traffic.

If you think you are being followed, cross the street several times. If you still think you are being followed, walk to the busiest area you can find or knock on somebody's door.