Local pubs aid police to curb trouble
WHEN new licensing laws regarding late-night drinking hit the headlines two years ago many predicted a sharp rise in anti-social behaviour and violence on the streets of West Norfolk.
But in the same week the Government published details of a review into 24-hour drinking laws Inspector Chris Spinks, the officer responsible for licensing in West Norfolk, reported a five-year low in violent crime and a growing commitment to ensure a night out can be enjoyed by everyone.
While the national reaction to the laws has been distinctly mixed Insp Spinks believes the joint efforts of police and pubs has helped create a smooth transition.
He told the Lynn News: "I have got to take the politics out of it. This was brought in by the Labour Government and we had to rise to the challenge.
"Violent crime is at a five-year low and that is due to the collaboration we have with the pubs and nightclubs and other infrastructure within the night-time economy.
"We want to show from a police point of view we are making positive steps in reducing violent crime and anti-social behaviour around alcohol.
"We have seen a trend of more people drinking in market towns like Lynn, where as before they would travel to Norwich or Peterborough, but now there are more premises open to 1am.
"I think we have risen to the challenge and from our point of view it has been about early intervention, identifying the problem premises, individuals or groups and dealing with things before they get out of hand."
Insp Spinks said a number of initiatives have been introduced in recent years to help tackle the perceived threat late licenses could cause.
The Pubwatch scheme which operates in both Lynn and Downham has continued to go from strength to strength by targeting persistent trouble-makers who ruin nights out.
Officers have been making regular patrols of pubs and clubs in Lynn as part of the Nightsafe scheme to prevent trouble before it happens.
An SOS bus has also been piloted in Lynn town centre in recent weeks to give revellers a safe place to make free telephone calls, obtain basic first aid and to ensure they come to no further harm.
Test purchases have also been carried out while alcohol confiscation orders have been created to tackle problem drinkers in Hunstanton.
Insp Spinks said: "It is about working together. Licensees and people in the night-time economy have to trust the police.
"We are here to make it better for everyone and if they have a problem they can contact us without the fear of negativity."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for King's Lynn
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
