A HIGH-profile campaign starts today in a bid to cut down booze-fuelled attacks.

Billboards around Huddersfield are displaying hard-hitting messages about the damage alcohol can do - especially to people aged 16 to 24.

The damage can range from causing people to lose all sense and attack others through to both men and women drinking too much and becoming vulnerable to being attacked or robbed.

The new drive, the Kirklees Bar Code Campaign, will focus on reducing woundings, assaults and domestic violence.

The campaign, paid for by the Kirklees Safer Communities Partnership, will run up to Christmas.

Partnership chairman Clr Khizar Iqbal said: "Our town centres are vibrant, lively places and we want people to enjoy them and stay safe.

"But young people are less likely to take measures to protect themselves, even though they are a vulnerable group.

"This initiative aims to raise their awareness, and complements a wider action plan to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer."

Between April, 2005, and the end of March, 2006, there were 9,189 violent offences reported across Kirklees.

Although this figure includes robberies and sexual offences, 92% referred to assaults, harassment, and common assaults resulting in grazes, swellings and superficial cuts.

About one in four of the incidents happen between 9pm to 3am and peak on Friday and Saturday nights.

Recent trends indicate signs of the start of a possible decrease, with figures for mid-November showing the lowest violent crime levels for more than three years in Kirklees.

Chief Insp Jon Carter, community safety co-ordinator for Kirklees, said: "Alcohol misuse increases the chances of becoming a victim of violent crime, including domestic abuse.

"Most alcohol-related violence kicks off at busy licensed premises.

"A lot is preventable if people take sensible measures and become more aware. They can dramatically reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim."

He added: "The younger age group is at risk because they tend to drink and socialise in crowded, enclosed areas, where tempers can fray and tensions quickly escalate.

"We want them to enjoy themselves on a night out in Dewsbury and Huddersfield, but we also want them to stay safe. This campaign aims to raise awareness of how to do that."

Campaign slogans include Bloody Mary, along with Alcohol And Violent Partners Don't Mix.

The have been devised by Huddersfield-based Bang Strategic Marketing And Design, which has sponsored the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Examiner Community Awards for the last six years.

The messages will be on billboards, buses and in phone boxes, as well as on postcards, stickers and beermats in bars, pubs and clubs.

There is also a website, www.kirkleesbarcode.co.uk

ENJOY your night and enjoy alcohol - but don't get wasted.

If you look under 21 you will need ID. If you have no ID you will not be served anywhere in Kirklees.

Drinking too much makes you vulnerable. You will not be able to see or avoid trouble.

Be aware that alcohol can change people. Could someone you know become violent?

Avoid crowded taxi ranks and takeaways. Trouble often starts in crowded places.

Always plan your route home.

* Extra policing in the run-up to the festive season.

* A new scheme targeting premises which have higher violent crime rates. The idea is to draw up action plans to improve safety.

* Police warnings to under-age drinkers and their parents.

* The introduction of taxi marshals to control revellers waiting for lifts home.

* The introduction of alcohol control zones in Dewsbury and Huddersfield. These ban street drinking and make the town centres safer.

* The promotion of the Best Bar None scheme that encourages bars, pubs and clubs to improve safety for customers.

* The introduction of domestic violence advocates, encouraging more victims to report it and get support by phoning 01484 223221.