Aimed at 18 to 24-year-olds, the 'Stay with your pack' initiative, led by Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping, is backed by Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) and will be delivered by partners including alcohol education charity Drinkaware.
The specially developed Alcohol Vulnerability training programme aimed at McDonald's staff and Nottingham BID’s taxi marshals is a UK first. Measures including training and creating Drinkaware Crew, e-learning for bar staff, on and offline poster campaigns and awareness videos will also be introduced.
Tipping said: "Together we're doing everything we can to ensure young people have an enjoyable and safe night out in our county.
"Alcohol increases vulnerability and leaves young people at serious risk of becoming either a victim or perpetrator of crime. When a young person's judgment is impeded by alcohol, it is vital we have responsible, fully trained volunteers ready to protect their welfare and prevent harm. This campaign will see an unprecedented level of appropriate training to ensure this happens.”
'Stay with your pack' was unveiled yesterday (29 November) and will involve the largest-ever training programme of bar, club and door staff across Nottingham to equip staff with the skills to better manage customer welfare and reduce risk of harm.
Drinkaware chief executive Elaine Hindal said: "Building on our success in other parts of the UK, Drinkaware's Alcohol Vulnerability training for on-premise staff, our 'Stay with your pack' campaign and Drinkaware Crew will make an important contribution, alongside other initiatives, to reducing the negative impact that drunken behaviour can have on the local night-time economy. We are also hugely grateful to local operators including DHP Family (live music producer and promoter) for its leadership and support."
Though launched as a festive initiative, the campaign will run throughout 2018 as part of a broader initiative to maintain Nottingham’s position as a Purple Flag City – status bestowed upon cities who offer an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable nightlife.
'Stay with your pack' is the latest effort by Drinkaware to ensure drinker safety, joining initiatives aimed at students and the Shoreditch area under the charity's banner.