Warwickshire Police

Warwickshire Police are working closely with the local authority, partners and night-time venues in Leamington that have become popular student destinations. Recent figure indicated that 15% of the Towns population during term time are students, a number of licensed premises have a business profile designed to attract this lucrative group with an undeserved reputation for binge drinking.

Studies recently produced give an interesting insight to this long established but developing phenomena and culture - suggesting the problem is more acute in the first year at University. The Students union have also produced a guide to assist in a responsible approach to the organization of student events. The proliferation and market share of sweet alcopops with a spirit base promoted to the younger drinker is also causing growing concern with drug and alcohol services that are linking them to longer-term addiction and health problems.

Warwickshire Police would always promote a responsible approach to the consumption of alcohol and close attention to units consumed (3 to 4 for men 2 to 3 for a woman). Personal responsibility is important to keeping safe, as alcohol intoxication is a significant contributory factor to victimisation and offending.

Local Initiatives include:

• Fresher week – advice on keeping safe
• Students employed by venues as welfare staff
• Taxi marshals
• User surveys for licensed premises on the Warwick District web site - focussed at student users
• Data rape information/guidance at high volume/high risk venues

Responding to a request for support, George Stepney Community Protection manager for Warwickshire Police took part in an innovative web based debate on binge drinking in which he promoted restraint and personal responsibility.

Useful Links

Guidance Notes for Law Enforcement Officers - Bar Crawls (PDF 951 Kb)

Pub Crawl Report April 2011-2 (PDF 1.01 MB)