Students ‘Tag the Tiger’ to support responsible drinking

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary have teamed up with local universities, colleges and various partners to encourage students across the region to be sensible about drinking alcohol.

The ‘Easy Tiger’ campaign involves officers and staff speaking to students about the importance of pacing their alcohol intake, keeping their drinks with them at all times, considering how their personal safety maybe affected while they are intoxicated and the importance of acting responsibly towards other residents.

Jan Brown, crime-prevention officer for Lancaster, said: “Students will often try to save money by staying at home and ‘pre-loading’ with alcohol before they go out, often getting involved with drinking games. While we most certainly want students to be having fun, we would also like them to be responsible in the way they consume alcohol.”

As part of the initiative, students can have their photo taken with the life-sized tiger mascot and if they then upload and tag themselves on the ‘Tag the Tiger’ Facebook page, students are given free entry into Lancaster’s Sugarhouse nightclub, as well as receiving other benefits from members of the city’s PubWatch scheme.

The initiative involves input from the University of Cumbria Students’ Union, Lancaster and Morecambe College Students’ Union, Lancashire Police and Lancashire Drugs and Alcohol Action Team.

“The officers and other partners who are accompanying the Easy Tiger will be engaging with those having their photos taken and will be passing on crime prevention and safety messages. While making the most of their night out, it is important that students remember that drinking lowers inhibitions and, aside from the obvious health risks, it makes you more vulnerable to becoming a victim of crime,” added Ms Brown.

“Likewise, it can make you act differently and your behaviour may come at a cost – police officers take a zero tolerance attitude to drunken criminal behaviour. Penalty notices for disorder cost £80 – a fairly hefty fine for a student pocket – and a criminal record is not the kind of result you want to leave university with.”

Other activities to encourage responsible drinking will included a ‘mocktail’ bar at Lancaster University’s freshers fair and Street Pastors handing out bottles of water to those on a night out.

The initiative will continue throughout the academic year, with a main focus being on the Tag the Tiger campaign and the Easy Tiger mascot featuring in a variety of social events where alcohol usage is prominent.