Revellers encouraged to ‘Get Home Safe’ this Christmas

Festive party-goers were today urged to ‘Get Home Safe’ as the annual Christmas campaign was launched at one of Belfast’s most popular nightspots. As the party season gets into full swing, the Get Home Safe Partnership, led by Belfast City Council, is targeting those who will be out in the city enjoying some festive cheer over the coming weeks in a bid to change revellers’ behaviour and improve Belfast’s image.

Stevie Lavery, Community Safety Officer with Belfast City Council, said: “The Designated Driver Scheme will complement the Get Home Safe campaign and is sponsored by Club Orange. On selected dates throughout December, drivers will be able to enjoy a free Club Orange.


“This initiative supports the fundamental message of the entire campaign – ‘Think Twice, Get Home Safe’ – and we thank Club Orange for their involvement.


“Around 30,000 people enjoy the city’s nightlife every weekend and that figure is set to increase during the Christmas party season. The main aim of the campaign is to create a vibrant, safe and attractive night time environment for all.”

The PSNI is a partner in the initiative and Inspector Robert Murdie said there will be an increased police presence in Belfast city centre as well as emergency contact points at a number of locations.

He said: “We want to ensure that everyone enjoys themselves over the festive season and we would ask people to remember a few vital points - plan how you are getting home, stay with your friends, don’t become involved in fights and always remember if you are going to drink, drink responsibly.

“We are committed to making Belfast a safer place for everyone to visit – not just at Christmas, but all year round.”

At today’s launch, the ‘Get Home Safe’ guide on how to enjoy a night out on the town was highlighted. It advises party goers to:

• stay in well lit areas
• don’t become separated from your friends
• never accept a drink from someone you don’t know
• plan your journey home in advance
• always have enough money to get yourself home
• don’t walk through areas you are unsure of

The Get Home Safe campaign has been operating for a number of years and is focussed on making people ‘Think Twice’ before getting into trouble and to plan in advance how to ‘Get Home Safe’ at the end of a night out.

(EF)