Published Friday 10 June 2016 at 17:06
With Euro 2016 upon us, Blackburn with Darwen health bosses are urging people to enjoy the month-long feast of football but beware the ‘ugly consequences of the beautiful game’.
With all home nations bar Scotland set to compete for the first time for almost 60 years, football fever has well and truly kicked in but health bosses are keen to emphasise the importance of being safe and responsible with alcohol consumption whilst watching the tournament.
Whether you’re out in pubs, bars or at home, drink responsibly with plenty of food and soft drinks in between alcoholic ones.
Lancashire Police have launched a campaign focussing on three key areas where the police often see the ugly consequences of the beautiful game with incidents of domestic abuse, alcohol-fuelled violence and drink or drug driving.
Nationally the reporting of domestic abuse goes up around 25-30 per cent during major sporting tournaments, particularly football, and police are urging victims to seek help by reporting what is happening to them. Similarly, drink and drug driving persists in causing death and serious injury on our roads.
Victims of crime can report it to police on 999, 101 or online and free independent support and advice is available from Lancashire Victim Services by calling 0300 323 0085 or visiting www.lancashirevictimservices.org
Blackburn with Darwen domestic abuse service, Changing Lives, can be contacted on: (01254) 311181.
Members of the public are also encouraged to use their local pharmacy to cure minor ailments or see their GP for non-emergency presentations.
Councillor Mustafa Desai, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
In previous years we have seen the combination of expectations, emotions, warm weather and alcohol consumption result in increased demand on all of the emergency services, often diverting care needed by the most vulnerable in our communities. Here in Blackburn with Darwen we want people to enjoy the competition and if you’re having a drink do so responsibly and look after yourself, family and friends.