It is hoped it will help drunk women ditch their heels and get home safer.

As part of a project run by the Rugby Community Safety Partnership, Police Community Support Officers are giving out free 'goodie bags' during the busy Christmas and New Year weekends, containing items to help promote personal safely.

But the scheme has been branded as a waste of tax payers' money by critics, who say the 'gifts' reward people who drink too much.

The bags contain flip flops, condoms, a rape alarm, sweets, water and a leaflet warning about the dangers of alcohol.

A spokesperson from the partnership - which involves the police, borough council and county council - said: "The campaign has been helping revellers enjoy a good evening out with friends while making sure that they are aware of potential risks of personal injury, ill health and possible risks to their personal safety.

"The Winter Nights campaign saw officers from Rugby Borough Council, Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire County Council team up with bars and clubs in the town, specialist agencies, and community groups."

The purple Be Safe Feel Safe bags have also been handed out in other parts of the country over the New Year and Christmas period.

But it has been met with criticism by the Taxpayers' Alliance's Chief Executive Matthew Elliott. He said: "This is shocking a waste of precious police resources, which should be allocated to frontline policing and not this sort of pointless gimmick.

"If people are binge drinking, they should be punished for their anti-social behaviour, not rewarded with gift bags."

Warwickshire Police said the move will go hand in hand with their hardline zero tolerance approach to drunken violence over the New Year.

Detective Chief Inspector Adrian Pearson said: "We are fortunate to have a fantastic range of pubs, clubs and restaurants in Warwickshire and the vast majority of people just want to enjoy a night out with their friends over the festive period without it being ruined by a small minority of people.

"Additional officers will be on duty during peak party times throughout Christmas and New Year to carry out high visibility patrols and arrest anyone suspected of alcohol fuelled violence or anti social behaviour. In some boroughs twice the number of officers will be on duty."