Police have apologised after a 'Safe Night Out' poster implied drunken women leave themselves vulnerable to rape.
The poster, which appeared in pubs across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, said: "Don't let a night full of promise...Turn into a morning full of regret."
Below the picture of a well-dressed girl lying on a pavement, with the text: "Don't leave yourself more vulnerable to regretful sex or even rape."
A poster from West Mercia police warning women against being raped
Jocelyn Anderson, chief officer at Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Assault Support Centre told the Worcester News: "To put regretful sex and rape together is appalling.
"It's not alcohol that causes rape, although it's a vulnerability factor, it's rapists that cause rape."
Det Supt Ivan Powell said there had been “some concerns” about the poster.
He said: “If the campaign has caused distress, that was not our aim and I will apologise for that. This was not about blaming victims but putting information out to help.
“I would stress what we are trying to do here is put information out showing potential victims how to avoid becoming vulnerable.”