Party-goers urged to ‘Get Home Safe’ this Christmas
01 Dec 2009
Festive party-goers were today (Tuesday) urged to ‘think when you drink’ as the Christmas ‘Get Home Safe’ campaign was officially launched in Belfast.
The annual initiative, which is led by Belfast City Council in partnership with the NIO and PSNI, was launched in the Cathedral Quarter, and this year the partnership is taking a new approach to raising awareness of the campaign.
Unveiling the new ‘Get Home Safe’ temporary street art at the Northern Whig this morning was NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Naomi Long, and PSNI Chief Superintendent Brian Maguire.
The street art, which will appear at dozens of night-time ‘hotspots’ across Belfast, will act as a visual reminder for revellers to make sure they ‘Get Home Safe’.
Minister Paul Goggins said: “As we move into the festive period it is timely to remind everyone of our key campaign messages. If you are going out in a group to socialise, stick together and don’t separate; arrange transport home in advance; and look after each other so everyone gets home safely.
“Isolated people can be more vulnerable, especially when they have consumed alcohol and they can easily become the victim of anti social behaviour or crime. We want socialising as part of a vibrant Belfast night time economy to be a safe and enjoyable experience for all.”
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Naomi Long: “We’re now in the seventh year of this campaign and it has been really successful in encouraging people to think about their personal safety when they’re out enjoying themselves.
“This isn’t about being a kill-joy or wanting to ruin people’s enjoyment; in the last few years we have seen Belfast’s night-time economy grow and this is something to celebrate. But the Christmas period does see an inevitable increase in the number of people who are out and about in the city, so it’s vital that we encourage everyone to have a good time but to make sure they ‘Get Home Safe’.
“Simple things like planning your journey home in advance, always sticking with your friends and drinking responsibly are just some of the key messages we are highlighting here today.”
PSNI Chief Superintendent Brian Maguire said: “There will be daily high-visibility police patrols as part of the ‘Get Home Safe’ campaign and this will create a significant policing presence in the city centre. We are confident that this, combined with partnership initiatives such as the emergency contact points, will help make people feel safer during this festive season. Also with CCTV linked to Musgrave Street Station, their will be 24 hour surveillance in operation to provide a safer environment for everyone.
“This joint agency initiative is solely for the benefit of the public. The ‘Get Home Safe’ campaign has been widely praised, and we expect continued support from the public to deliver positive policing.”
The campaign message will also be displayed on phone kiosks, billboards, bus shelters and in washrooms of pubs and clubs across Belfast.
