PUBS, clubs and bars across the town are set to receive new equipment from police to help keep people safe on nights out.

Officers have been working with venues around Bolton as part of the Best Bar None scheme to try to preempt any issues, especially as students return to study at the university.

Items handed out include handheld metal detectors which stop people carrying knives and posters to inform clubbers about the various projects in place to help them.

Licensing officer Andy Vernon said: “This is work we’re trying to do across the borough. Because of Best Bar None we’ve been able to put on all these other schemes. It’s about giving people the best night they can have.”

Other projects include Ask for Angela scheme, which gives members of the public a discreet phrase they can repeat to staff if they feel vulnerable and Get Home Safe, which promotes licensed taxi and private hire vehicles.