You could be forgiven for thinking it was a perfectly sensible message about personal safety.

But a police poster advising women to stick together on a night out provoked anger yesterday, as campaigners claimed it suggested victims were responsible for sex attacks.

Sussex Police was accused of ‘victim-blaming’ in its campaign, which urges women not to leave their friends alone or let them wander off with strangers. Women’s rights groups said rapists were to blame for sex attacks, not their victims.

Anti-rape campaigners have criticised the message in this Sussex Police poster arguing it implies that victims are to blame for getting raped

But the poster won praise from supporters who said it was ‘blindingly obvious’ that it was not blaming women, and that it simply offered ‘sensible advice’.

It features a picture of two smiling young women posing for a selfie, with the text: ‘Which one of your mates is most vulnerable on a night out? The one you leave behind.’ It goes on: ‘Many sexual assaults could be prevented. Stick together and don’t let your friend leave with a stranger or go off on their own.’

But anti-rape campaigners said police should target potential attackers instead, and that the poster sent a message that women needed a constant chaperone.

Sarah Green, acting director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said she found the advice ‘infuriating’.

She added: ‘We need to get beyond police campaigns giving instructions to women on how to behave to be safe. We need to talk to those who may perpetrate rape and deter them.’

Campaign: The posters are due to be put up in pub and club toilets as well as bus stops in Brighton (pictured) as well as other areas of Sussex

A pair of police officers watch on as University students gather on the street outside a bar in Brighton

Fabia Bates, of the Survivors’ Network, said: ‘Sussex Police has made great strides to encourage people to report sexual violence and there is the possibility this could damage people’s confidence.

‘We are here to support anyone who has been the victim and will not judge anyone – it is never the victim’s fault.’

Chief Inspector Katy Woolford said the police had a responsibility to advise potential victims on how to minimise risks

But David Davies, a former special constable who is running for re-election as Tory MP for Monmouth, said he thought the poster offered ‘common sense advice’, adding: ‘I don’t think it’s blaming victims ... it’s like telling people to lock car doors. I would say the same to young men, not to leave their mates behind in what could be a dangerous area because they could get robbed or sexually assaulted.

‘It’s disappointing that some groups don’t realise police are trying to help prevent problems.

‘No one’s suggesting the attacker doesn’t bear responsibility, the police are simply trying to make sure people are aware of danger and try to avoid it. It’s blindingly obvious.’ Clarence Mitchell, who is standing as the Tory candidate in Brighton Pavilion, agreed. ‘I’m quite sure that Sussex Police in no way intended to imply that women are somehow responsible for any attack,’ he said. ‘This is an entirely sensible campaign.’

Sussex Police said the posters would be put up at bus stops and in pub and nightclub toilets. Chief Inspector Katy Woolford said: ‘Rape is never a victim’s fault, but as with all crimes we can reduce the number of victims in several ways.

‘It is vital to be aware of vulnerability so that steps can be taken to guard against it.’

In 2012 West Mercia Police were forced to apologise for posters for its Safe Night Out initiative suggesting rape victims were to blame if they were drunk

Manchester Police were praised by anti-rape groups for their 2014 Christmas anti-rape campaign which carried the strapline: 'Drinking is not a Crime. Rape is'