Fresh bid to protect late-night revellers in York

There have been a number of fatalities in the city involving young people who have disappeared on a night out and were later found in the river, including Megan Roberts, 20, a student at York St John University, who died after falling in the water in the city.

Today York’s River Safety Group will launch a campaign which aims to give revellers advice on planning a safe night out and journey home. It will run throughout the summer and will be used as part of Freshers Week in the early autumn.

The messages will be shared on bus adverts, via mobile screens touring the city centre and will be printed on beer mats and posters. Extra Street Angels patrols will be held along the riverside paths and bridges and British Transport Police will impose a ban on alcohol being brought into York Railway Station and onto trains between 6pm and 9pm on Saturdays.

Extra officers will be deployed on Saturdays with special focus on the railway station as visitors into York make their way home.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, York Council’s member for homes and safer communities, said: “Summer safety covers a broad spectrum of risks, but this campaign encompasses and targets the 17 to 30 year old age group known to be most at risk of danger in the night.”

Insp Charlotte Bloxham, of the city centre safer neighbourhood team, said: “We are pleased to support this initiative which has been developed by students in the city.”