Students urged to stay safe during freshers' week

All over the UK this week young students are arriving at university for the first time. Before studies commence students experience ‘freshers’ week’, which is a time to settle in, join clubs and socialise. For many this is the first time away from home and it is not uncommon for students to binge drink.

Bedfordshire Police have launched a new initiative to help freshers to stay safe. They are working with local pubs, clubs and restaurants to create a safer environment for young adults and to spread the message that drunken and disorderly behaviour will not be tolerated.

In addition to making Bedfordshire safer for students, the police force is tackling violent crime caused by alcohol. Many cases of domestic and child abuse are aggravated by alcohol consumption. It is estimated that around 50% of all violent crime is alcohol related and up to one in three cases of child abuse are thought to be caused by drinking. Alcohol abuse increases the likelihood of a person being the victim of violent crime and also increases the chances that a person will commit a crime.

Bedfordshire Police Inspector Vicky Miller said: “The public and freshers should feel reassured that their night-time experience in any of our towns is one made memorable by a good night out spent with friends eating great food and enjoying responsibly run pubs and clubs. The entertainment venues supporting freshers events have been risk assessed and we have confidence that students will feel safe.”

Stay safe this freshers’ week and drink sensibly.