WOMEN will be handed personal alarms as they leave pubs and clubs in Southampton this weekend as part of a high-profile safety campaign by city chiefs.

Door staff will be giving away about 2,500 personal attack alarms at 15 venues to encourage people to think about their safety when in the city centre.

Information cards will also be handed out to remind revellers not to take unnecessary risks following a number of attacks in the city.

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The campaign is being launched tomorrow on what is expected to be a busy weekend in Southampton due to Valentine’s Day.

The move follows repeated calls from the police for people not to walk alone through the city’s streets and parks at night, after several people were attacked.

In November, police urged people to stay out of the parks if walking alone after dark following six separate attacks on young men. A gang was targeting lone men, punching them to the ground and stealing their cash and mobile phones.

Last summer, detectives again warned women not to walk through the city centre’s five parks following a daylight sex attack on a 19-year-old girl.

Daily Echo: Door staff in Southampton to hand out attack alarms

Three years ago, police chiefs appealed for people to keep out of the parks after more than 100 attacks including a rape, assaults and muggings.

Cllr Royston Smith, Cabinet member for economic development, said: “This is an important campaign and we would encourage people to read the information cards and take responsibility for their own personal safety. The council and its partners are keen to spread the message that being aware and taking the right precautions, using a little common sense, makes for a good night out.”

Det Insp Dick Pearson, from Southamp-ton Central police station, said: “We want people to go out at night and have a great time in Southampton and we want them to think about their safety before they go out. It is easy to ignore this when you have had a couple of drinks and are enjoying yourself. Plan to go out with friends and look after each other at the end of the evening.”

A spokesman for Southampton Rape Crisis said: “This is a very necessary campaign. We cannot advise people enough on keeping safe at night.”