Night safety campaigners in Southampton will be out on the streets this Saturday (Nov 29), working to encourage people who are out late at night follow simple guidelines to help keep them safe.

The campaign has been co-ordinated by prospective Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, Rowenna Davis, working alongside the police, local taxi drivers, and the charity Southampton Rape Crisis. 

The mass effort will be timed to follow on directly from a 'Reclaim the Night' march, which demonstrates people's right to walk the streets at night free from sexual violence, street harassment and assault. The march is open to all and takes place from Guildhall Square from 7pm

Club and pub lines will be the main target for the campaign's volunteers after the march, who will hand out safety cards containing a simple 'tick list' of dos and don'ts for people out late at night.

Rowenna Davis said: 'We have a flourishing night-time economy here in Southampton, which means that every evening many hundreds of people are out enjoying themselves.  But when people are out late they can also be vulnerable, and with this campaign we're trying to make Southampton a safer place to be.  Our advice is really simple - things like 'always keep your phone charged', and 'always use a reputable cab company' - but it can make a huge difference to people's safety.'

'We want to support the great work that 'Reclaim the Night' are doing, and help the community by spreading their message all year round.'

'On Saturday we'll have a serious message to get across, but we'll also be looking to make it fun by using social media to help people share the safety tips with their friends.  We'll be out in high-vis jackets, so we'll be easy to spot!'

Tara Doel of Southampton Rape Crisis said: 'By following a handful of simple suggestions, and looking out for their friends, young people in the city can help make it a much safer place to go out at night.'

Taxi driver Perry McMillan said: 'Southampton's taxi drivers take our passengers' safety very seriously and that's why we're wholeheartedly behind this campaign.'