Condoms and drink-spiking stoppers to be handed out to Hitchin revellers this Easter bank holiday weekend

Condoms, flip-flops, water and foil blankets will be handed out by Hitchin police officers this weekend to help revellers keep safe.

Officers from Hitchin Safer Neighbourhood Team and door staff from pubs and clubs will be offering safety packs to people who may appear vulnerable after drinking too much.

They have been funded by the North Herts Community Safety Partnership, made up of North Herts police, the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and North Herts District Council.

The packs include a bottle of water, a stopper to prevent drinks from being spiked, condoms, foil blankets and flip-flops.

North Herts Community Safety Sgt Richard Wilmot said: “We want people to go out and have a good time in Hitchin over the Easter weekend – however, we also want people to get home safely and to take responsibility for themselves and their friends.

“By drinking too much you are making yourself more vulnerable.

“We hope that by handing these packs to anyone who appears to have had too much to drink, that they will have the means to sober up, keep warm, get home without injuring their feet and hopefully re-consider their plans for when they are next out.

“As always our officers will be on duty to ensure people remain safe and if we spot someone who could do with a little extra support, we will give them one of these packs and ensure they are OK.”

Peter Carey, North Herts District Council’s head of environmental health, said: “North Herts Community Safety Partnership work together on a number of initiatives across the district to ensure the safety of the local community.

“The Easter holidays are a particularly busy time in Hitchin town centre which is why we are supporting the ‘safety packs campaign’ to ensure that residents and visitors enjoy going out in Hitchin without putting their personal safety at risk.”