Brit police to distribute free flip-flops

TORQUAY, England, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Officials in England's Torbay Council said police outside of area nightclubs will soon be handing out free flip-flops to women too drunk to walk in heels.

Safer Communities Torbay, a partnership involving police, Torbay Council and the Local Education Authority, said the free flip-flops are part of a $60,000 program aimed at preventing "alcohol-related harm," The Daily Mail reported Friday.

Officials said the rubber flip-flops, which bear printed messages about safe drinking, will be given out to women outside of nightclubs to prevent them from injuring themselves by either falling down as a result of their high heels or hurting their feet by walking barefoot.

"Sometimes people get drunk and you see them carrying footwear which is inappropriate," said Adrian Leisk of Safer Communities Torbay. "The emphasis is on providing replacement footwear for people to get home in, should they find their footwear uncomfortable, inappropriate or soiled."

"We have consulted with people who work on our night-time economy areas and this is just one of a number of measures designed to keep people safe," he said.

Officials said the $60,000 program also includes distribution of free condoms and sexual health literature.