POLICE are pulling out all the stops to ensure festive revellers are safe in Huddersfield.

A campaign to discourage binge-drinking and identify vulnerable people is running again in the town.

As revellers gear up for the New Year, special bottle tops are being handed out to stop drinks being spiked.

Police also aim to prevent sex assaults, by encouraging potential victims to avoid excessive drinking and to travel home with friends.

Operation Northdale aims to reduce the number of sexual offences across the district in the traditionally busy festive period.

Over the last month, officers have handed out 7,000 anti-drink spiking devices in pubs and clubs across Kirklees.

Tips were also sent to party-goers via Bluetooth.

Pc Lisa Farrend was one of the officers from Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) who took to Huddersfield town centre.

Pc Farrend said: “It was really well received. We handed out more than 100 anti-drink-spiking devices in one night.

“It is just about encouraging people to be responsible with alcohol and making sure they have planned their way home.”

Operation Northdale received national recognition by winning the Association of Chief Police Officers Excellence in Policing award last year after a 56% reduction in serious sexual assaults in December 2009.

Insp Adrian Waugh from the Huddersfield South NPT said: “While we want people to have fun, we also urge them to drink responsibly and not make themselves vulnerable through binge-drinking.

“Our regular patrols will continue during Operation Northdale and beyond, as the work of our teams of officers and volunteers in providing reassurance to revellers, in particular vulnerable women, is extremely important.”

People on nights out are also being urged to look out for bogus taxi drivers and ensure they either pre-book cabs or pick them up from recognised ranks.