Operation Northdale
Operation Northdale - Think When You Drink
Street Angels across West Yorkshire are key partners in a police campaign which runs at Christmas and over the Summer to raise awareness of sexual offences. Traditionally sexual assaults against women tend to increase significantly at Christmas and Summer which is why it is important to deliver reminder messages of have fun, know your limits, stay with your friends and arrange a licensed taxi ride home.
The campaign resulted in a 56% reduction in serious sexual assaults over December 2009.
More information is available on the Think When You Drink web site.
This hard-hitting video is also part of the campaign:
December 2009 Operation Northdale:
* Stay with your mates
* Pre-book your cab - make sure it is your cab you get into
* Watch your friends' drinks and your own
* Stay sober enough to look after yourself and each other - alternate with soft drinks
* Always stay confident and assert yourself
* Keep in control
Halifax Street Angels will be working in partnership with West Yorkshire Police to support Operation Northdale in the run up to Christmas.
Volunteers and Halifax Street Angels will be working with West Yorkshire Police to promote safety to young woman in town centres and raising awareness to highlight vulnerability of women when in drink.
The aim is to talk to young women to highlight a number of issues including:
- Raising awareness of the potential dangers of being vulnerable when drinking too much
- Providing support to women in drink to find safe late night transport
- Encouraging women to use official registered private hire companies and taxis and be cautious of bogus taxis
- Offering advice about the risk of women becoming victims of sexual assault and making rash decisions in drink.
- Encouraging women to keep hold of drinks at all times - do not leave them unattended and vulnerable to drink spiking
Some contact numbers: if you have information about an offender or if you have been a victim of sexual violence specially trained staff are waiting to speak to you - 0845 6060606 (In emergency 999) or talk to STAR (Surviving Trauma After Rape) - 01924 298954
See the article in the Courier's The Beat