Nottinghamshire Police prevention initiative to ensure women’s safety at bars and nightclubs to take place in Newark, Sherwood, Bassetlaw and Nottingham city centre

A series of prevention initiatives to ensure women feel safer visiting bars and nightclubs are taking place across the county.

Violence against women and girls awareness patrols will be carried out in Newark, Sherwood, Bassetlaw and Nottingham city centre this weekend to raise awareness.

This is part of a week of action, which ends on March 24, and is designed to help anyone who is feeling vulnerable on a night out to ensure they know the support that is available to them.

A total of 750 posters will be put up in bars around the city and county describing the steps that people can take if they feel vulnerable on a night out.

This can include concerns about a date they may be on or if they are receiving unwanted attention at a bar or club.

Chief inspector Mark Dickson, police lead for Violence Against Women and Young Girls said: “Protecting women and young girls from harassment, abuse and violence is a top priority for the force.

“We have a very vibrant night-time economy in Nottinghamshire, and we don’t want the actions of a few to make women feel fearful of visiting our city.

“This is why we are continuously working with our partners including venues to ensure that people feel safe visiting our night-time economy.

“No-one should feel intimidated and harassed on a night out.

“This operation is part of a national week of action. However, our work does not stop there as we continue all year round to keep women safe.

“There are also many simple prevention measures that people can take to ensure they do not fall victim to a crime."

Neighbourhood policing teams will be visiting local bars to raise awareness and offering advice on how they can protect their customers.

Increased patrols will also be seen across the city and county during this weekend especially outside pubs, bars, and nightclubs.

There will also be advertisement vans in particular locations offering safety advice to women enjoying a night out.

Nottinghamshire Police are working with a series of venues to ensure that women’s safety is paramount, and that the right measures are put in place if any concerns are identified.

Alongside this, Operation Cognition patrols will also look at the issue of Cocaethylene, the biological reaction which happens in the body when cocaine and alcohol are taken together.

The combination of these drugs at night can be a factor in domestic violence incidents.