POLICE are tweeting teenagers sobering messages to stop them getting totally wasted and ending up in the gutter.
As the nights are getting darker and the festive spirit kicks in across clubs and bars in Chester officers are preparing to face the influx of teenagers binge drinking and falling into crime.
Now Cheshire Constabulary have launched a social media campaign, taking to Facebook and Twitter to spread the word that if you drink too much you might end up “totally wasting your night” – maybe even your entire life.
The campaign, named “Totally Wasted” is the latest initiative by the force to make teenagers aware of the dangers of drinking too much.
With figures showing that one in four teenagers in the North West binge drink, police are hoping to inform and influence the youngsters in the hope that they will think before they drink.
The social media campaign is using upbeat.uk.com, a site for young people, to show two different scenarios, and, with the help of three Cheshire teenagers the campaign has started to cause quite a stir.
Sophie Yates, 19, Pia Burrow, 17, Amber Ellis, 17 and Charlie Holliday, 19, joined the campaign after seeing the role advertised by the force on Facebook.
“I think it’s a really good thing to be involved in because it tells a very strong and important message. Alcohol awareness is an important issue and young people can often be unaware of the dangers of drink,” said Sophie.
“I very much enjoyed working on the alcohol awareness campaign for Cheshire police and love getting involved with local projects. I hope the campaign is successful in raising awareness.”
Charlie Holliday said she didn’t think the campaign would stop youngsters drinking before they hit the town, but they might pace themselves more.
“I’m a student and simply knowing the facts have really made me think about how much I drink and the danger I could be putting myself in. Cheshire police aren’t saying ‘don’t drink at all but drink responsibly’,” she said.
Officers on patrol across Cheshire are keen to get across to people how drinking too much can result in a "totally wasted" evening. Alcohol can change your behaviour, and for some people, drinking excessively can make them aggressive and they become violent.
Police officers are called to deal with more and more reported incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour where alcohol is involved. Taking violent drunks off the streets to spend a night in the cells is a “wasted night” for the reveller and a “waste of police time”.
Cheshire police want young people to get involved on the social media networks. For details, visit www.upbeat.uk.com/totally-wasted.
