New campaign to prevent alcohol-fuelled violence on night out

The national initiative will have two elements. A communications campaign aimed at raising awareness and influencing behavioural change, and force-led activity which will focus operational strategies in hotspot areas in an effort to drive down homicides associated with the night-time economy over the Christmas period.

The Home Office funded campaign encourages self-control, support from friends and for men to walk away from heated situations before other people become violent. It also calls on friends and bystanders of potential offenders, as well as members of the public, to de-escalate situations when it is safe to.

Research shows that most incidents are caused by small triggers, something as basic as an error in judgment, a spilled drink, or a rude comment. Offenders and victims are often men aged between 18 and 30 who did not know each other before the interaction and in most cases, the offender has no criminal background.

Evidence shows incidents tend to happen in busy areas between 11pm and 4am.

The campaign, which is being coordinated through the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), offers tips to prevent violence on a night out and also features a quiz to find out what role men play in their group of mates.

Research commissioned by the Home Office demonstrated that the largest cluster of homicide victims between April 2019 and March 2022 were males aged over 25 killed in a public space.

Of the 447 homicides in this cluster, 42 per cent (186 in total) were alcohol-related and 58 per cent (260) were drug-related, meaning that the victim or perpetrator had consumed alcohol or drugs at the time of the homicide.

The Home Office initiative is aimed at reducing homicides in this cluster

Policing Minister Chris Philp said: “As we head into the festive season, there will be an increasing number of people out for end of year celebrations. We want everyone to act safely and look out for friends who end up in heated situations which can quickly escalate.

“We’ve seen the tragic consequences that just one punch can have, and that is why we are supporting a new winter homicide initiative delivering police-led preventative activity in high-risk areas and targeted communications to encourage people to walk away from violent situations which can change lives forever.”

Chief Constable Kate Meynell, NPCC lead for homicide, said: “The consequences of a drunken fight on a night out can be fatal and inflict life-long consequences for everyone involved. Research shows that these assaults tend to happen for trivial reasons, maybe a rude comment, or even just a spilled drink.

“If you find yourself on a night out and in a heated situation, remember the consequences of violence, and ask yourself is it worth it? Is this worth potentially taking someone’s loved one away from them, and taking yourself away from your own family to serve a prison sentence? Is it worth having a criminal record? It never is.

“Too many lives are ruined, and even lost, to drunken behaviour on nights out across the UK. Our message is simple – if it’s you in the heated situation or a friend, think, de-escalate, and walk away.”

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ (APCC) serious violence and homicide leads, Cleveland police and crime commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner and West Midlands PCC Simon Foster, said: “We welcome the policing led drive to reduce homicides associated with the night-time economy, particularly over the busy Christmas period.

“Thankfully, we are seeing homicide rates reducing in numbers across the country, nevertheless it is vital we stay ahead of emerging trends and threats to ensure the downward trajectory continues.

“This campaign will intensify prevention activity across the night-time economy, which is particularly welcome given the usual spike in alcohol-fuelled violence over the festive period.

As APCC portfolio leads for serious violence and homicide, we will continue to play our part by raising awareness among the public of the campaign and supporting the Home Office to maximise its impact and effectiveness across our communities.”