mc_squared Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 Latest police plan to tackle binge-drinking: Give women flip-flops to help them walk home safely By Luke Salkeld Last updated at 3:09 PM on 27th November 2008 Comments (38) Add to My Stories Drunk women are to be issued with free flip-flops by police to stop them falling over in high-heeled shoes, it emerged today. Officers will distribute the footwear outside nightclubs as part of a £30,000 publicly-funded scheme to prevent 'alcohol related harm'. The move has been prompted by fears that women wearing stilettos or other similar footwear could twist or sprain an ankle on the way home after a night out. Superintendent Chris Singer poses with two pairs of flip-flops. As part of a £30,000 health and safety scheme, flip-flops are to be given free to drunk women to prevent injuries on their walk home Officials also claim female revellers are at risk of cutting the soles of their feet by walking home barefoot. The flat-soled shoes will be given to anyone whose own footwear is 'uncomfortable, inappropriate or soiled' and will be paid for using a £30,000 Home Office grant. The scheme is set to begin next month in the centre of Torquay, Devon, a popular destination for hen and stag parties. According to local authorities, women on a night out are in danger of hurting themselves by attempting to walk home in high heels or stilettos. Safer Communities Torbay - a partnership between police, Torbay Council and the local education authority - hope the flip-flops will reduce the number of injuries. Officers will carry bags of the blue, unisex flip-flops on their rounds and will hand them to anyone who looks a little unsteady on their feet. The rubber shoes, which carry printed messages about safe drinking and alcohol limits, will also be available free-of-charge from the council's 'Safe Bus' on the harbourside. They force has already launched schemes to hand out condoms and sexual health advice to revellers, and ordered drunken men who urinate in the street to mop up their own mess. While these women are just having a good time, many women are so drunk after a night out that they try to walk home in high heels leading to injuries. Distributing free flip-flops is aimed to prevent this happening. (File photo) Inspector Adrian Leisk, from Safer Communities Torbay, said: 'Sometimes people get drunk and you see them carrying footwear which is inappropriate. 'The emphasis is on providing replacement footwear for people to get home in, should they find their footwear uncomfortable, inappropriate or soiled. 'We have consulted with people who work on our night-time economy areas and this is just one of a number of measures designed to keep people safe.' But the initiative has attracted criticism from campaigners who branded it a waste of money and police time. Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'This is an idiotic waste of money. 'People don't pay their taxes for drunk women to get free flip-flops. They want the police to fight crime.The police aren't there to be an emergency supply of flat shoes.' But the idea was welcomed by residents and business owners, and local revellers seemed equally pleased at the prospect of free flops. Danielle Bolton, 19, said: 'My heels hurt me at the end of the night so I tend to take them off. It's a hell of a lot easier to walk with flip-flops than high heels.' Leanne Thomas, 21, added: 'I go out clubbing at the harbourside most weekends and I usually walk home barefooted because my heels hurt. I think it's a great idea.' The £30,000 budget will also cover the cost of free condoms, rape alarms and personal safety information which will also be available on the Safe Bus. Superintendent Chris Singer, Torbay Police Commander, said: 'Linking in with our partners, this funding represents a significant opportunity to make a real difference in relation to alcohol related harm and disorder. 'We're hopeful that this new initiative will help protect dozens of women who are vulnerable to injury after a night out with friends.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_face_of_light Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 Free Shoes!!:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted November 27, 2008 Author Share Posted November 27, 2008 Free Shoes!!:P You've got a point! This is more likely to encourage binge-drinking!!:lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petit Prince Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Yet another negative story about women. Anyway you're clearly more likely to get injured if you take your shoes off after a night out. If there's no flip flops that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_face_of_light Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Personally I've never suffered any foot injury after drinking, and I would not want to walk barefoot on the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobalt Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 You know what's funny? In Australia flip-flops are called thongs. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted November 28, 2008 Author Share Posted November 28, 2008 You know what's funny? In Australia flip-flops are called thongs. :P So what are thongs called??:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobalt Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 G-strings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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