Bar staff in Hull offered safety training in run-up to Christmas

The Pubwatch scheme aims to promote a "responsibly-led social drinking environment"

Bar staff in Hull have been offered training to help make pubs safer in the run-up to Christmas.

It is part of a new Pubwatch scheme funded by the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Jonathan Evison.

He said it would promote a "responsibly-led social drinking environment" in all licensed premises.

The scheme includes training for bar staff in public safety and raising awareness of sexual violence.

Mr Evison said: "It is important that people feel safe to socialise in our area, especially in the run-up to the festive season.

"I am really pleased to be supporting the launch of Pubwatch in the city."

The operators of pubs and bars in Hull city centre and the Old Town have been invited to take part in the initiative.

Under the scheme, they can also take part in Ask for Angela, which allows people needing help on a night out to alert staff by using a code word.

Matt Smith from The Brain Jar is supporting the scheme

Supporting the Pubwatch scheme, Matt Smith from The Brain Jar in the Old Town said: "You can't tell people how much to drink but you can tell them when they've had enough.

"We treat people like adults but as soon as they are not behaving like an adult then that's when you've got to step in.

"Everyone has a hand in keeping everyone safe. On the whole, all the doormen look after each other in the area, everyone is working as a big happy family."