STUDENTS, tourists and other visitors are being given a new at-a-glance guide to how to stay safe in Swansea — and where to go for treatment if a good night out goes wrong.

The guide includes a map showing them everything from the best place to be dropped off and find a taxi to get home again, to the location of loos and where visitors can get medical help if they need it.

There is also a clear "behave or be banned" warning aimed at anyone who comes into town intent on causing trouble.

Hotels

Copies of the guide, called Welcome To Swansea Nightlife, are now being distributed to hotels, tourist information points, student centres, M4 service stations and elsewhere.

It has been produced by the Safer Swansea Partnership, which says there has been a big reduction in violent crime in the city but still with some room for improvement.

Swansea Council's night-time economy officer Steve Williams said: "Swansea city centre attracts large numbers of people each weekend.

"This leaflet will help people by informing them where the relevant services are located, as well as advising what they can expect when visiting the city. We have lots of people who visit from other parts of the country who are not aware of where taxi ranks are, for example, so it will help people in this respect.

"There are some fantastic initiatives in the city centre and we have some excellent working relations between licensees and door staff."

Partnership figures show a 68 per cent fall in violent crime during Christmas 2009 compared to the previous year, with 2009-10 as a whole down 14.9 per cent and a further ten per cent fall from April to June this year.

Chief Inspector Steve Jones said: "While these statistics are positive, we are aware we must work a lot harder and smarter to reduce this further and address people's fear of the perception of crime, ensuring they feel safe visiting the city centre at night. The leaflet will not be handed out in the evenings but will be distributed at key locations, such as hotels, tourist information points, motorway service stations, student populations, and coach and private hire companies across South Wales and further afield.

"The map explains the visibility of the police and the partnership during weekends and other key dates."

One example is discouraging people from using Quay Parade as a drop-off and collection point for safety reasons.

Instead they are advised to use Princess Way, where police officers on patrol will meet and greet them.

Mr Jones added: "We want everyone to enjoy Swansea nightlife.

Misbehave

"But if they misbehave, they may find themselves arrested, put before the courts and even banned from visiting licensed premises in the city centre."

Welcome to Swansea Nightlife also highlights some of the safety measures in place, such as the use of plastic glasses.

It also flags up the location of temporary loos, which are set up during busy periods, along with triage treatment centres aimed at preventing ambulances and A&E staff being tied up unnecessarily.

Morriston Hospital's A&E consultant Mike McCabe is backing the guide.

"We work very closely with Safer Swansea to allow people to have a good night out and avoid problems," he said. "We are seeing a significant reduction in major violence and assaults and work closely with police to reduce this.

"The plastic glasses initiative has been very successful and I hope that will be extended."

paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk