CHIEF Insp Jon Carter says there are a few sensible precautions that people can take to reduce their chance of bring involved in crime.

These particularly relate to young men, who are most at risk:

* Go out and enjoy yourself, but know your own drink limits for alcohol consumption.

* Have a drink, but don't get drunk and unaware of what is going on.

* If you do get drunk, don't expect to get served in bars or be admitted to nightclubs.

* Stick to well- managed, well-run premises, which do not encourage drunkenness and bad behaviour.

* If you are travelling home by taxi, leave early, before closing time, as you can avoid queues for taxis and food and avoid confrontation.

* Phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you see a crime or have information that would lead to the conviction of an offender.

Alcohol provides fuel for violent crimes

ALCOHOL and young men will create an explosive mix in town centres over Christmas and the new year.

Almost half of all victims of violent crime are aged 16 to 24 years. Also, in almost half of attacks, the victim believes his attacker has drunk alcohol.

Almost two-thirds of incidents take place at night, often on streets outside bars and clubs.

Chief Insp Jon Carter, of the Kirklees Safer Communities Partnership, said violent crime formed part of what was known as the "night-time economy", with the peak time for incidents between 9pm and 3am.

A large proportion of recorded incidents affecting revellers takes place between 6pm on Friday and 6am on Monday morning.

Chief Insp Carter said: "Certain premises are high risk because they have a potential for conflict, including inconvenient access routes, poor ventilation and a permissive social environment."

He said clubs and bars without a "positive enforcement attitude" often led to situations escalating, such as a knocked-over drink or nudge in the back when walking past someone.

Violence can also escalate when people leave venues to queue for taxis or food.

A new proof of age scheme has just been introduced in Kirklees, in a bid to reduce the amount of alcohol which young people are consuming.

It is one of several measures which the partnership is backing in a bid to reduce violent crime and its links with young men and alcohol.

Latest figures show a massive 61% increase in violent crime overall in 2003/2004.

But Chief Insp Carter is keen to point out that much of that rise can be explained by dramatic changes to the way crimes are recorded.

In April 2002 all police forces in England adopted the National Crime Standard for greater consistency in crime recording.

This has led to incidents such as common assault - where there is physical contact between two people, but no injuries - being recorded as a violent crime.

In fact, although a violent crime can cover anything from homicide to obstructing a police officer, Chief Insp Carter said more than half recorded violent crimes involved no injuries to a person.

Only 2% involved a hospital stay.

Chief Insp Carter added: "Violent crime is still very rare, particularly in relation to elderly victims.

"Men aged over 75 face only a 0.2% risk of being a victim of violent crime and women a 0.5% risk," he said.