A nice cup of tea could be a crucial weapon in a pre-Christmas crime prevention campaign being planned by police in Hertfordshire.

They’ve picked up on a viral video created by an online blogger with roots in the county - already seen by millions of people and promoted on BBC comedy show Russell Howard’s Good News last week - which explains the grey area of sexual consent in terms of whether or not someone wants to join you in a cuppa.

The video will be a key component of the Operation Advisory campaign which launches on Monday, aimed at making sure night economy workers and their customers can play their part in keeping people safe over the festive season.

In a briefing to explain the police tactics, Det Chief Insp Fiona Gaskell said the focus on the issue of consent had been picked up from feedback from young women who told officers that they were frustrated at always being the focus of safety messages about drinking and personal protection.

They wanted a wider message that would apply to men as well, and with research showing that the issue of consent featured in 80 per cent of investigations involving alleged sexual assault Herts police started looking for a suitable way to get the message across.

Running alongside the ‘cup of tea’ video which will be promoted through social media to target age groups, harder-hitting posters with the simple message ‘Sex Without Consent Is Rape’ will also be posted in GP surgeries, clinics and other NHS buildings and the theme will be carried through to sessions in schools.

Posters will also be distributed to pubs and clubs by police patrols.

According to police figures there were no reports of rape or serious sexual offences which were linked to Christmas revelry and the night-time economy last year.

Police and crime commissioner David Lloyd praised the campaign as a good example of the sort of joined-up crime prevention approach that could really deliver results, with police, health and education workers and businesses all playing their part.

The simple video has been created by online blogger Rock Star Pirate Princess, who is now based in Walthamstow, East London but grew up in St Albans. The animation was created by Blue Seat Studios, which has ‘educate with humour’ as its motto.

Click here to watch the ‘cup of tea’ video which police will be promoting in the run-up to ChristmasClick here to see the BBC programme about issues of sexual consentFind out more about Rock Star Pirate Princess here