POLICE in Suffolk have today launched a follow-up to their controversial Safe! magazine - this time aimed at binge drinking, beer swigging males.In the summer the force launched the first in the series of magazines aimed at reducing violence against women and raising the profile of personal safety messages.

POLICE in Suffolk have today launched a follow-up to their controversial Safe! magazine - this time aimed at binge drinking, beer swigging males.

In the summer the force launched the first in the series of magazines aimed at reducing violence against women and raising the profile of personal safety messages.

The magazine, intended as a mock-up of a women's glossy, was launched by police and Suffolk's Nightsafe scheme and aimed to get across three key messages: don't overdo it, friends stick together and get home safe.

However the magazine, described by police as “tongue in cheek”, received criticism is some areas of the media because of a snippet which warned women to “wear nice pants” and have a wax if they were going to get “ratted”.

Today police have launched a sequel, this time aimed at men.

Its messages include a warning to revellers to wear dark trousers when out drinking in case the alcohol causes them to “splash” when they “slash”.

But chief superintendent David McDonnell of Suffolk police said he did not expect this edition to attract as much controversy.

He said: “Ninety-five per cent of the publicity last time was positive and there is an element of the 'there is no such thing as bad publicity' theory.

“There is nothing dreadfully controversial in the new magazine. The intention is to get people to look at it and think 'that could be me' and 'I don't want to end up in a police cell or end up with my car wrapped round a tree'.

“If it stops a few people getting into trouble we will have achieved our objectives.”

The magazine aims to encourage men to think about the dangers of unprotected sex and warns them to make sure sex is consensual.

It also includes messages about not drinking and driving and considering the health problems associated with excess alcohol.

Ch supt McDonnell added: “It is done in a lads' mag type format and I think what it is getting to is that losing self control and getting bladdered is not going to impress anyone, least of all young women.

“If you end up lying in a gutter in a pool of vomit who will be impressed with that?”

The magazines are currently being distributed in pubs and clubs across the county.

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www.suffolk.police.uk