NEW campaigns to keep people safe this summer have been launched by authorities.

City of York Council’s Plan Safe, Drink Safe, Home Safe campaign launches today. It has been developed and market-tested by York St John University Students’ Union and has been adopted by the emergency services, City of York Council, the Canal Trust and the University of York.

Messages will be seen on buses, on mobile screens touring the city centre, at York Hospital and on beer mats and posters at pubs throughout the city, and will also be run during Freshers’ Week in the autumn.

Throughout the campaign, Street Angels patrols will be increased, and British Transport Police will ban alcohol in York railway station and on to trains between 6pm and 9pm on Saturdays, and will handing out water to those who need it.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing said the campaign would target the 17-30 age group, who were most at risk.

She said: “We’ve been delighted to work with the students and unions and we hope the campaign will strike a note with people who’ll take more care as a result. York is a great city and we want residents and visitors to enjoy it and so I hope they will take note of this campaign.”

Inspector Charlotte Bloxham, leader of the city-centre Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Everyone can play their part in keeping themselves and those around them safe to ensure that they have an enjoyable time when they go out.”

Chris Bateman, chief executive officerCEO of York St John Students’ Union and chairman of York Pubwatch, said the campaign was “the result of some fantastic collaborative work”and the union was keen to work with the various agencies on the scheme.

North Yorkshire Police launched their Less Drinking, More Thinking campaign earlier this month, to encourage people to think about how much they are drinking in potentially dangerous situations, and have now produced taken it on this week with a series of new videos.

They videos feature police officers, firefighters and an A&E consultant talking to camera about the consequences and dangers of drinking too much alcohol, particularly near open water, and have been backed up with a social media campaign under the hashtag #summersafety.

Chief Constable Dave Jones said: “Year after year, we see people injuring themselves or others through excess alcohol consumption.

“We want people to be aware of the associated dangers and encourage them to think about how to stay safe whilst enjoying the summer, which so far, has been a fantastically warm one. So enjoy your BBQs and your days and nights out, however please remember Less Drinking, More Thinking.”

See the videos can be viewed at northyorkshire.police.uk/summer