Wakefield Council is encouraging people on nights out this summer to ‘walk away’ from situations that might turn violent.

The campaign is led by Wakefield’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP) which is made up of local organisations and coincides with the start of England’s World Cup campaign in the USA, Canada and Mexico which begins on June 17.

West Yorkshire Police are supporting the initiative, along with the Community Safety Partnership, who will be heading out to venues across the district to give them assets for display and offer de-escalation training for pubs, bars and other night-time economy venues.

The campaign encourages: A quick apology on behalf of a friend to clear up a misunderstanding; Taking friends away from the environment to calm down; Calling 999 or alerting bar staff if things start getting out of hand.

placeholder image — West Yorkshire Police are supporting the initiative, along with the Community Safety Partnership, who will be heading out to venues across the district to give them assets for display and offer de-escalation training for pubs, bars and other night-time economy venues.

Chief Insp Emma Hooks of Wakefield Police, said: “We’re working closely with our partners and with businesses operating in our night-time economy and have policing plans in place throughout the World Cup.

“Major football tournaments can see more people using our bars and pubs and we will have an enhanced policing presence on dates when we expect venues will be showing home nations matches.

“We hope supporters going out to see the football in their local pubs enjoy themselves. But we’d urge them to do so responsibly, and to please just walk away from confrontation.

“As we have sadly seen on too many occasions, the consequences of drink related violence can be absolutely tragic for victims and lead to other parties involved receiving substantial prison sentences.

"A moment of anger when passions are high really can lead to a lifetime of consequence.”

Coun Rebecca Webster, Cabinet Member for Safer Stronger Communities, said: “We want people to enjoy their nights out. But we want everyone to be safe.

"We know that emotions can be heightened when people have been drinking. Unfortunately sometimes minor disputes can turn into violence.

“We want people to look out for one another and make sure that everyone gets home safely. Good friends value their friends’ safety and know when it’s best to ‘Walk Away’.

"We’re also working with local taxi drivers and takeaway staff so that we all think about safety from the moment people head out to the moment they get home.”