Personal safety on a night out

With the warmer weather upon us (finally) there has been a marked increase in night-time activity along Southbank and Crown Promenades. The activity levels are regularly exceeding pre-COVID levels with a spike in activity on Saturdays. 

Are you planning a night out in Southbank with friends? Here are key safety tips to remain safe when out and about enjoying yourselves:

• Plan your night
• Drink safely and within your limits
• Take care of your friends

Plan your night: 

• Charge your phone and take a portable power bank with you.
• Take your ID.
• Leave valuables at home or at your accommodation.
• Plan your transport to and from the venue or nominate a designated sober driver.
• Write down your friends’ phone numbers, in case you lose your phone.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you will be home. Tell them if your plans change.

Drink alcohol safely: 

• Eat before you go out. Eat while you are drinking.
• Drink within your limits. Space out alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Never mix alcohol and drugs.
• Never drink alcohol and drive. Do not get into a car driven by somebody who has been drinking alcohol.
• Never accept a drink you haven’t seen the bar staff pour.
• Don’t leave drinks unattended and keep an eye on your drinks. Remember: even soft drinks can be spiked. 

Take care of your friends: 

• Walk away from conflict or dangerous situations. Take your friends with you. Do not retaliate or allow yourself to be provoked.
• Stay with your friends. Do not get isolated.
• Do not leave friends alone with somebody they’ve just met.
• Recognise when a friend has had too much alcohol to drink and encourage them to slow down.
• Never leave a drunk person alone. Seek help from venue staff or sober friends if you are worried about someone.
• If someone passes out, hits their head, or gets punched, call for an ambulance on Triple Zero (000). 

If you feel unsafe, what should you do? 

• Protective Services Officers (PSOs) and Police Officers are on platforms and trains until the last train.
• You can notify police of unwanted sexual and anti-social behaviour on public transport by texting “STOPIT” to 0499 455 455.
• If you need immediate police attendance, call Triple Zero (000).
• If you are travelling home by yourself, ring a trusted person and talk to them until you are safely home.

Southbank Police hope everyone and their friends enjoy everything Southbank has to offer safely. •