This is the important question that South Ayrshire Council and Strathclyde Police want everyone who goes to nightclubs or public houses in Ayr town centre to ask themselves.

Concerned local licensees have reported to the Council Licensing Monitoriing Officer that an increasing number of patrons are leaving their drinks unattended since the introduction of the smoking ban on 26 March 2006.  Non smokers also leave their drinks unattended on a table or a ledge when they need to use the toilet facilities, look for a friend or go to buy another drink.

A festive SafeDrink initiative has been organised by the Council’s Licensing Section and Strathclyde Police, it is being funded through the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, ADAT (Alcohol and Drug Action Team) and the Kyle Crime Prevention Panel. 

The initiative will run in Ayr town centre on Friday and Saturday nights from Friday 8 December 2006 to Saturday 6 January 2007, and will involve staff from 3 nightclubs and 8 pubs. 

To highlight the initiative staff in participating premises will wear baseball caps and ‘T’ shirts with the message ‘Who is watching your drink?’ on them.   Swizzel sticks and beer mats with the same message will be placed on tables of unattended or unfinished drinks to reinforce the message when the owners of the drinks return.  In premises where a DJ plays music patrons will be reminded at regular intervals to watch their drinks and not leave them unattended.

Councillor Mary Kilpatrick, of the Council’s Community Safety Committee said:  “Licensees have been very responsible in bringing to the attention of the Council and Strathclyde Police the increasing numbers of people who are leaving drinks lying around in licensed premises.  This initiative, which builds on the success of the SafeAyr project earlier this year, will highlight the risk people take if they leave their drinks unattended.  Everybody should be vigilant during the festive season and be safe, whether they are in a nightclub or public house in Ayr, South Ayrshire or elsewhere.”

The launch of the initiative took place in Madison’s nightclub in Ayr with an awareness session for local licencees and their staff.   Two Strathclyde Police Officers, PC Robert Stewart, Drugs Awareness Officer and PC Bobby Bell, Community Safety Officer gave informative presentations about the dangers of leaving drinks unattended.  The launch also provided an opportunity for everyone at the launch to exchange experiences and views about ‘Whose watching your drink?’

PC Bobby Bell, Community Safety Officer Strathclyde Police said:  “There is not a problem with drinks being spiked in Ayr, but people must be aware that it can happen.  During Christmas and New Year the numbers of people who go to nightclubs and public houses increases dramatically.    Everyone should enjoy themselves over the festive season, but they should be even more vigilant and always remember to think carefully about personal safety.”

Everyone got into the swing of things at the launch at Madisons, pictured are representatives from South Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Police and Madisons.

December 2006