Information on Leicester

Spike the Hedgehog promotes responsible drinking in Leicester PCSO Tracey Ward and PC Mehz Patel with Spike (photo courtesy of the Leicester Mercury)

PCSO Tracey Ward and PC Mehz Patel with Spike (photo courtesy of the Leicester Mercury)

A six foot hedgehog is helping police in Leicester city centre to raise awareness of responsible drinking over the Christmas period.

Spike the hedgehog accompanied officers in the city centre on Friday evening to highlight the dangers of drink spiking. He also handed out plastic bottle stoppers to drinkers to help them protect their drinks.

The hedgehog suit and the drinks stoppers have been funded by the Joint Action Group in Leicester, which is made up of representatives from the police, council, retailers and community.

Inspector Chris Brown, commander of the city centre local policing unit, said: "We are always looking for new ways to grab people's attention and get serious safety messages across. Spike the hedgehog provides a fun way for officers to engage with people of all ages.

"I want to stress that the risk of someone having their drink spiked by a stranger is slim. However, there are always some people who think it's funny to add alcohol to a friend's drink, without considering the potential consequences of this.

"Spike the hedgehog is just one of many ways in which we are raising awareness of responsible drinking over the festive period."

As part of Leicestershire Constabulary's ‘Night out of Nightmare' Christmas campaign, posters and flyers warning of the consequences of alcohol-related violence have been distributed to pubs and clubs. Adverts encouraging responsible drinking have also been placed on black cabs in the city centre and a 25-foot advertising trailer which toured the city on Friday and Saturday nights in the run up to Christmas.

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