TWO Isle of Wight bars will welcome welfare officers in bright pink tabards to ensure customers stay safe.

Fever and Boutique, in Newport, and Coburgs, in Ryde, are part of a scheme announced by Hampshire Constabulary.

Across the region, the force is supplying 100 tabards to welfare officers working in bars and nightclubs.

Welfare officers are staff members at venues dedicated to helping customers and ensuring everyone stays safe during a night out.

They have received training to recognise the signs of drunkenness, drug abuse, and whether a customer is under age or vulnerable.

The officers are also alert to any predatory behaviour or any activity that may lead to crime and disorder.

Earlier this year, officers from Hampshire Constabulary set up a project to improve the visibility of welfare officers in Night Time Economy venues across both counties.

Welfare officers will be easily identifiable thanks to 100 new pink tabards that have ‘welfare’ written across the front and back.

Funded by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hart District Council, the tabards will ensure the officers are clearly visible and more approachable when working in venues.

People in the community can flag areas on a map where they do not feel safe, regardless of whether a crime has taken place.

The data will then be used to improve safety and introduce new measures, such as night-time patrols or installing better street lighting in the local community.

The tool forms part of the Government’s whole system approach to tackling violence against women and girls.

For more information, visit www.police.uk/streetsafe