30th November 2009
West Dunbartonshire Community Safety Partnership has received almost £16,000 of funding from the Scottish Government as part of their Safer Streets initiative, to help ensure that people going out during the festive season can enjoy themselves in a safe environment.
The funding will cover numerous safety initiatives, known collectively as NightZone West. All initiatives will run in the three key pub/club areas in West Dunbartonshire – Clydebank, Dumbarton and Balloch/Alexandria.
Taxi Marshals will start their seasonal safety duty on Friday 4th December. They will be on the streets from 8pm – 4am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Friday 4th December until Sunday 3rd January. They will also be present on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay. The Marshals will provide a reassuring presence for the public, organise orderly queues and diffuse verbal aggression. Their presence has also proved to be a deterrent to violent incidents.
There will also be high visibility police patrols in “hot spot” areas, additional bins near taxi ranks, and specially commissioned radio advertising encouraging people to report domestic violence to the Police. Cards, posters and beer mats with safety messages and taxi information will also be distributed to pus and clubs. Licensed premises will also receive support from the Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Trading Standards.
An information campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of binge drinking – known as the “Wrecked” campaign - will target young people aged 16-24. Information will be posted in pubs and clubs, bus shelters and taxis and local media, and there will be roadshows and focus group sessions.
Alcohol-free events for young people, including a gig at Dumbarton skate park and music workshops, will also be promoted as part of NightZone West.
Councillor May Smillie, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “I am very pleased that the Partnership has secured this funding for the fourth year running. NightZone West is an excellent example of partnership working between the Community, the Police and the Council, and has been successful in reducing alcohol-fuelled violence in previous years. We want people to go out and enjoy themselves over the festive period, but we also want them to do so safely, without the threat of aggressive or antisocial behaviour.”
Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent John Thomson said: “The police will be deploying extra high visibility patrols throughout the Nightzone West area in a bid to reduce the violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour associated with the abuse of alcohol. Police will also fully support the role of the Taxi Marshals and will respond quickly and robustly to address any behaviour that impacts on the ability of the majority of festive revellers to enjoy themselves safely. My message to the public of West Dunbartonshire is clear - go out, enjoy yourself and have fun but please be sensible with alcohol. Anyone committing acts of violence in the home or in pubs, clubs or in the streets may find themselves seeing in the new year with a court appearance.”
