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British Police weapon to tackle binge drinkers: flip-flops

by Dave Keating | November 28, 2008 at 01:52 am

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Binge drinking remains a huge problem in the UK, with women and men of all ages routinely drinking enormous amounts of alcohol in one sitting. Now one resort in Devon has decided that if you can't stop the Brits from drining themselves into a stupor, at least you can keep the women from having accidents as they try to totter home on their high heels.

The latest police secret weapon aimed at binge drinkers was unveiled yesterday - the humble flip-flop.

Police officers and safety officials in Torbay are handing out the plastic sandals to revellers who are spotted staggering home in unstable high heels or bare feet.

The Devon resort attracts its fair share of heavy drinkers and police have noticed that some women in high heels are inclined to topple over after a long night out or take off their shoes to rest their tired feet and walk home in bare or stockinged feet, dodging the broken glass and rubbish.

Police and other officials are offering the revellers flip-flops bearing a safety message. The move is intended to help them get home safely and to give officers an opportunity to speak to the partygoers.