Operation Safer Bristol this Christmas

Release Date:  17-Dec-2008

It's all systems go for Operation Safer Bristol in Bristol leading up to Christmas. Agencies in the Safer Bristol partnership including the Police, NHS Bristol, Bristol City Council, Crimestoppers and local business are combining efforts in a huge night time operation to keep people safer in the city centre during Christmas and New Year festivities.

Operation Safer Bristol aims to make the city centre a safer and more pleasant environment for revellers with higher-profile policing and more bus and taxi marshals.

It is also aims to reduce accidents on the city’s roads with the biggest-ever clampdown on drink-driving - an estimated 10,000 drivers are likely to be stopped over Christmas and New Year.

Other alcohol-related crimes, including domestic violence, are also being targeted with more CCTV cameras, better street lighting, chill out music played at city centre flashpoints and a new Crimestoppers scheme to tackle violence in the home.

The campaign is being launched by Safer Bristol, the partnership that brings together Avon & Somerset Constabulary, NHS Bristol, Bristol City Council, Crimestoppers and local business.

Safer Bristol Chair Brian McCutcheon said: “We want to make sure that Bristol is a safe and pleasant place for everyone to enjoy the festivities, free from the anti-social behaviour that can blight the city centre. We know that much of the trouble at this time of year stems from over-indulgence of alcohol, often by people who are not used to drinking.

“That is why many of the measures we are taking involve support and help for these people while also cracking down on drink-drivers and those who behave aggressively on our streets.”

When it comes to drink-driving, the campaign has a clear message - if you drive in Bristol this Christmas and you have had a drink, EXPECT to get stopped, EXPECT to be breathalysed and, if you are over the limit, EXPECT to lose your licence, possibly your job and in some cases your liberty.

Supt Andy Pullan, in charge of the force’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Although drink-driving is a year-round problem that we tackle day-in, day-out, the temptations of Christmas parties and impromptu drinks after work can mean normally sensible people are tempted to get behind the wheel when they shouldn’t.

“Rather than getting hung up on ‘safe limits’, our advice is that if you’re driving, don’t drink at all. One drink alone is enough to have an effect on your reactions and perceptions and put your own and other, innocent, people’s lives at risk.”

All the 10,000 motorists expected to be stopped over the festive period will be spoken to about the dangers of drink-driving. Officers will also give out general crime reduction and personal safety advice.

Last Christmas 216 motorists were arrested for drink- driving across the force. Some 549 motorists breathalysed had been involved in a collision.

Other action being taken during Operation Safer Bristol will include:

• Extending the award-winning city centre bus and taxi night marshal scheme, de-fusing possible violent situations and helping licensees control troublemakers
• Playing chill out music in the city centre to calm down people waiting at taxi ranks
• Increasing CCTV cameras and improving lighting in crowded city centre areas
• Giving advice on sensible drinking to anyone arrested for an alcohol-related offence
• Clamping down on licensees serving anyone already drunk and on shops selling alcohol to children
• Launching a scheme to encourage third parties to report their suspicions of domestic violence
• Advising people with health problems, such as high blood pressure, of the dangers of drinking too much
• Checking that private-hire taxis are operating legally
• Stopping fly tipping and leafleting in the city centre which causes excessive litter

Author:  Vicky O'Loughlin Tel: 0117 9142222

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