We're supporting national anti-violence campaign during Euro 2024

Help your mates to ‘Walk Away’.

That’s the message of a national campaign supported by North Yorkshire Police during Euro 2024 (14 June to 14 July) to help prevent deaths and serious injuries caused by violent incidents in the night-time economy.

A single punch can result in death or serious injury.

The campaign encourages self-control, support from friends, and for men to walk away from heated situations before other people become violent.

It also calls on friends and bystanders of potential offenders, as well as members of the public, to de-escalate situations when it’s safe to do so.

It’s being highlighted during Euro 2024 as the high volume of people gathering in licensed premises and at home, mixed with a high consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs such as cocaine, increases the risk of public disorder, violence in the night-time economy and domestic abuse.

 

 

We're working closely with local and national partners to ensure the tournament is enjoyed in a safe and secure way.

It also follows-on from our ‘Punched Out Cold’ campaign last year which showed the harrowing consequences of one-punch incidents which can wreck lives in an instant.

Research shows that most incidents are caused by small triggers and that the offenders and victims are often men aged between 18 and 30 who did not know each other before the interaction.

In most cases, the offender has no criminal background.

Such incidents tend to happen in busy areas between 11pm and 4am.

 

 

Detective Inspector Dominic Holroyd, from the Major Investigation Team, said: “The consequences of a drunken or drug-fuelled fight on a night out can be fatal and inflict life-long consequences for everyone involved.

“Research shows that these assaults tend to happen for trivial reasons, maybe a rude comment, or even just a spilled drink.

“If you find yourself on a night out and in a heated situation, remember the consequences of violence, and ask yourself: ‘is it worth it?’.

“Is this worth potentially taking someone’s loved one away from them, and taking yourself away from your own family to serve a prison sentence?

“Is it worth having a criminal record?

“It never is.

“A single punch can ruin lives and this campaign is part of our ongoing efforts to make nights out safe for everyone, during Euro 2024 and beyond.”

 

Top tips to prevent violence on a night out

1. Keep an eye out for your mates. You know them best, but if they're staring, shouting or squaring up, it's a definite sign to get them to walk away
2. A quick apology. We're often not our best selves when we're drunk. A quick apology on behalf of a friend can help clear up a misunderstanding before things can kick off
3. Step in. If you feel safe, you can step in and make eye contact with your mate. It can make it easier to talk them down
4. Ask for help. If there are other mates out with you, get them to give you a hand. The more people that stand up and step in, the more likely things will calm down. If things are getting out of hand, call 999. In a non-emergency you can call 101

 

The Walk Away campaign also features a quiz to find out what role men play in their group of mates.

• Visit wewalkaway.uk for more information
• For more information about our efforts to keep people safe during Euro 2024, go to northyorkshire.police.uk/euro2024