Police officers in Bath have joined forces with B&NES Council, university and emergency services partners to urge students in the city to stay safe near water.
PCSO Rob Hendra, pictured left with PC Mike Bolwell, have been meeting new and existing students at Bath Spa University to offer not only crime prevention and security advice, but strong warnings about the dangers of alcohol and walking near the River Avon.
Their presence at the University’s Freshers’ Fairs, and at the University of Bath, coincides with a national campaign by the Royal Life Saving Society called #DontDrinkandDrown.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has also released a short film about 14 new river rescue cabinets, containing life buoys, which have been positioned along the stretch of river from Pulteney Bridge to Windsor Bridge.
PC Bolwell said: “We’ve had a great response from the new students, many of who had heard of the tragic drowning accidents in the city, and were keen to listen to our advice.
“It’s really important that we and our partners are here, meeting them face to face and spreading such a vital life-saving message.”
PCSO Hendra said: “Thousands of young people have just arrived in Bath, many of them with little or no knowledge of the city.
“We want to get our crime prevention and river safety messages to as many of them as possible, and hopefully help prevent any further accidents.”
As well as issuing and distributing hundreds of RLSS warning posters, the officers were joined this week by members of the council’s River Safety Group, Avon and Somerset’s police underwater search team, and Avon Fire and Rescue Service.
To watch and share the RLSS UK Don’t Drink and Drown film, visit the RLSS UK YouTube channel.
To view the council film go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/riverrescue.
The Council wants as many people as possible to view the film and to share it with their friends on social media sites.
People are also being encouraged to follow @bathriversafety on Twitter.
