A CAMPAIGN to help protect the public during nights out in York this summer will be launched next month.

Operation Safari is a joint project between North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, British Transport Police, City of York Council and other agencies, and sees officers on the streets to help crack down on anti-social behaviour.

Similar to the ongoing Operation Erase - which launched as a pilot in 2015 throughout the day in the city centre before being introduced as a more permanent scheme - Safari is aimed at the night time economy in York, and will begin with a hard-hitting display in Parliament Street on the afternoon of Saturday, July 8.

PC Dan Kirven, of York City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said part of the campaign will see a volunteer cut free from a car by a fire crew at about 3.30pm, in a simulation of an emergency response call.

He said the staged crash aims “to impact those considering drink/drug driving or those that do so”, and also ties in with Operation Attention - this summer’s drink/drug driving campaign - which includes checkpoints around the city to look out for drink/drug drivers.

PC Kirven said he believed that holding the demonstration in such a public place early in the day would have a greater effect on passers by, and those who were considering returning to the city later.

He said: “We want to see a big audience of families and children, because that image stays with them and it’s quite an important message to get across.”

PC Kirven also said Operation Safari would continue the work done by Operations Attention, Erase and another campaign.

He said: “Last year, we ran the Had Enough campaign, which was effective, and it’s a case of needing to know when you’ve had enough. There’s a fine line between having a good night and it being ruined by ending up in hospital, police custody or worse.

“We don’t want to stop people enjoying themselves and having a good time. But we want to make sure that everyone knows their limits and drinks responsibly.

“I hope the impact of our live demonstrations in the city centre will make people stop and think about their behaviour and help get them home safely.”

Councillor Sam Lisle, who is responsible for safer communities with the council, said: “This campaign will help reinforce the importance of personal responsibility, which the vast majority of city centre users recognise.

“I’m pleased we’re working with licensees, the police, the Business Improvement District and Make It York to achieve this.”