Stay safe in the night time economy

Advice for a safe night out.

Lewisham has a number of vibrant places to visit on a night out. Taking the time to consider your personal safety can make a huge difference and taking a few simple precautions can help to keep you and others safe.

Ask For Angela - this code-phrase will indicate to staff that you require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist.

FRANK - telephone 0300 1236600 (free support line open 24/7) - honest help and information about drugs.

Pier Road Project - specialist community alcohol and drug support for adults living in Bexley.

Victim Support - telephone 0808 1689111 (24/7 free support line) Need help after a crime? Service is independent, free and confidential.

Crimestoppers - telephone 0800 555 111. Give crime information anonymously.

The Havens - specialist centres in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

Personal safety

make sure your phone is charged before you go out and you are able to make calls
keep a small amount of money in your clothing, just in case you lose your purse or wallet and need to contact someone or get yourself home
stay with your friends: do not allow anyone to leave alone, or with someone they don’t know or trust
never leave your drink unattended. It takes a matter of seconds for someone to tamper with it and put you in danger
avoid walking alone at night: keep to well-lit roads and make sure someone knows where you are at all times
avoid shortcuts that go through dark isolated areas
if you are carrying a bag, try to hold it across your chest with your hand over the fastening
let people know where you are going and your expected return home
share your location with trusted people
you may consider downloading a personal safety app
don’t carry any valuables on your person that you do not need, for example credit cards of important documents. Be discreet with your belongings - keep any valuables you are carrying out of sight as much as possible
be aware of your surroundings: talking on a mobile phone or using ear phones can distract you from what is going on around you and also alerts thieves that you have something to steal

Alcohol advice

have a glass of water with every drink you have - staying hydrated can help to reduce the effect of alcohol on your body
order your drinks with ice - as the ice melts, the drink is diluted
taking your time with a drink pays off. Your body absorbs alcohol quicker than you metabolize it
eating slows down the absorption of alcohol so you have more time to metabolise what you’re drinking. Fats and carbs will line the stomach and replace sugars that the body needs for fuel.

For more information, visit NHS Alcohol support.

Drink/needle spiking

What does spiking mean?

To spike a drink means to put alcohol or drugs into someone's drink without their knowledge or permission. The aim may be to incapacitate someone enough to rob or assault them.

There is also some concern about the possibility that people are being ‘spiked’ by needles/syringes containing drugs. Although this is much less likely than drink spiking, many of the same tips for staying safe can protect you here too. Spiking is a criminal offence and venues should take steps to ensure they are safe places to be, but you still need to protect yourself, particularly if you feel unsafe.

How to avoid drink spiking

always buy your own drink and watch it being poured
don't accept drinks from strangers
never leave your drink unattended while you dance or go to the toilet
don't drink or taste anyone else's drink
throw your drink away if you think it tastes or looks odd
report any concerns to the venue immediately

What if you think you have been spiked (by drink or needle)?

if you start to feel strange, sick or drunk when you know that you couldn’t be drunk, seek help from a trusted friend or the venue management
if you think you have been spiked, get a close friend to get you out of the place as soon as possible and take you home or to a hospital (if seriously unwell). Or ring a friend, relative or partner and ask them to come and pick you up
if you feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened you can ask for help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase indicates to staff that you need help and a trained member of staff will then support and assist you
make sure you can trust the person you ask for help. Don’t go anywhere with a stranger or acquaintance
once you are safely home ask someone to stay with you until the effects of the drug have worn off, which could be several hours
don’t hesitate to call for medical help if you need it
tell the police what happened
if you have been sexually assaulted, you can contact a sexual assault referral centre for support.

Getting home

if you find yourself needing to get a taxi, make sure you pre-book a private hire car through a licensed minicab operator you’ve used before and trust. Always check that the minicab you ordered is the one you get into
if you have any problems with the driver, report it to the police and try and take down the licence ID details or take a photo
if you prefer to take public transport, make sure you check the times of your last train or bus home
if you can, walk to the relevant station or bus stop with a friend
share your location with trusted people.

Drink and drug driving

there is no excuse for drink or drug driving
you don’t have to be drunk to be a drink driver
a second drink can double your chance of being involved in a fatal collision
beware the morning after
time is the only way to ensure you aren’t driving whilst under the influence
plan how to get home without driving
don’t offer alcohol to someone you know is planning to drive
don’t accept a lift from a drink or drug driver
don’t let someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs get behind the wheel.

Published on: 29/01/2023