Campaign aimed at Young drinkers in North Somerset
North Somerset Council and Avon and Somerset Police have again teamed up to run the “Dick and Franny” campaign in a bid to make drinkers think about their behaviour during a night out over the festive period.
The campaign features two characters – Richard and Francesca – in a series of different situations, reflecting the most common problems people cause or encounter on a night out.
Posters and beer mats are being distributed to pubs and clubs in Weston town centre, and is being complemented by a targeted social media campaign featuring images and messages designed to have an impact even when someone has started to feel the effects of alcohol.
Each of the six images of Richard and Francesca used in the campaign feature the sign-off “Don’t be a Dick” or “Don’t be a Franny”.
The campaign is one element in a programme of joint initiatives aimed at reducing alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder, and supporting a more diverse night-time economy in Weston-super-Mare.
Councillor Felicity Baker, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for community safety said:
“The aim of the campaign is to grab the attention of 18 to 30-year-olds who will be out enjoying Weston’s pubs and clubs over the festive period. We want people to enjoy themselves, but we don’t want drink to spoil their or anyone else’s fun and ruin their night out.
This campaign is not aimed at those people who enjoy their nights out sensibly, but at the minority who have a few too many and who then start to cause problems, either for themselves or others. We hope it will get them to think twice before they do something they will probably regret when they’ve sobered up.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Sharon Bennett said:
“We want people to have fun and Weston is a great place for a safe night out. Local police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables will be on patrol each weekend, working with the council, licensees and others to make sure it stays that way.
The ‘Dick and Franny’ campaign is meant to be an eye-catching way to remind people what can happen if they overdo the festive cheer. I’d ask people to look out for their friends during a night out and make sure they don’t find themselves in any of the situations Richard and Francesca seem to end up in.
It’s important to end the night well, so please make sure you know how you’re going to get home – either nominate a designated driver who will stick to soft drinks, arrange a lift or pre-book a taxi. Don’t even think about getting behind the wheel if you’ve had a drink and be aware that you could still be over the limit the morning after.”
