Volunteers called in to curb Cheltenham's pay day drunks
VOLUNTEER police officers are going to be drafted in to stop pay day drunks making life a misery for people out and about in Cheltenham.
Special constables have been called in to run patrols aimed at stamping out antisocial behaviour in the town centre on Friday and Saturday evenings towards the end of the month.
-
Gloucestershire Constabulary
It comes as police chiefs said the town's night-time economy was being endangered by people blowing their monthly wages on booze, and leaving a trail of chaos in their wake.
Problems associated with pay day include an increase in fighting and vandalism as well as people soiling the streets with vomit and urine.
NEW PROMOTIONS put out each calender month! Dont miss out!
Terms: Terms and conditions are when order is complete in full 5% discount will be given with this voucher!
Contact: 01452 223149
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Residents living in the town centre welcomed the move to bolster police resources.
Liz Keevil, who lives in Imperial Square, said: "We do get a lot of rowdiness – particularly on weekends.
"It's such a shame because it's just a few people whose antics spoil it for others.
"Littering is certainly a problem and people don't respect the square as they should. It seems a good idea to have more police on the streets at peak times."
Staff at town night clubs and pubs also gave the move their backing.
Maeve Molloy, who works at The Retreat, in Suffolk Parade, said: "Pay day weekend is always a busy time for us. It can get a little rowdier than usual with people in high-spirits.
"It's got to be a good thing to have more police out on the streets."
Tom Davies, supervisor at the Spectre pub, in the High Street, added: "If it gives people a bit more reassurance and helps our staff to do their jobs then we would welcome it."
Special constables are volunteer civilians who give up their free time to support the regular force. While on duty they wear a uniform and have full police powers.
Colin Pilsworth, co-ordinator of Cheltenham Nightsafe – a support network for staff at pubs, clubs and late night restaurants – said: "Certainly there is a notable spike in business towards the end of the month and pubs are no different in that respect.
"By and large the town centre is a very safe place to be at night time but where you get people spending money and alcohol, occasionally things can spill over.
"I would welcome having more specials on the street to reassure people and address any problems if they arise."
Starting this weekend a team of 10 Special Constables will be on hand to run patrols in the town on Friday and Saturday nights.
They will be given vans to get to incidents as quickly as possible.
Section officer Richard Godfrey said: "The last weekend of the month coincides with pay day for a lot of people and it can often be when we see an upturn in anti-social behaviour linked to the night time economy.
"We will be using a combination of proactive patrolling, deterring people from committing offences, and being ready to attend any incidents which put people's safety at risk or ruins the quality of life for the community."
There are 183 specials in Gloucestershire.
To find out more about becoming one, visit www.gloucestershire.police.uk
Comments
by tishwash
Monday, September 24 2012, 7:30PM
“...."But a stop to cheap booze nights would be a good place to start, as with the extra cash raised this could go to help with any problems that arise outside the clubs and town centre."....
The extra cash will continue to go to the clubs/bars/pubs and people will be out of pocket more ? I guess you don't go drinking much at the moment, it's quite expensive already.
You can't just punish everyone for a minority, this has been learnt countless times, just hand out harsher punishments to those involved ?”
by Walker100
Monday, September 24 2012, 5:45PM
“Whiteangeluk, "can the staff really give the time required to see whom has had over the limit".
While I understand your well made point the fact is the law on the subject is very clear. Therefore, if staff are not in a position currently to ensure they are not serving those that should not be served then it is for the owners and managers to ensure they are put in a position where they can or suffer the consequences. We do not tolerate such mitigation in other aspects of the law.”
by whiteangeluk
Monday, September 24 2012, 10:26AM
“I don't blame the Alcohol as when it's in the bottles or barrels it's not doing any harm, but a gun in a holster again is harmless, but both can be deadly, when in wrong hands.
Facts are Alcohol Related Crime & Disorder takes place when people drink too much.
The Government states: Alcohol related crime and disorder has a major impact on the
quality of life of many people.
It is associated with a wide range of offences ranging from minor public order offences,
which are anti-social by nature, through traffic offences, minor assaults, serious assaults to
murder.
While most go out have a good time than come home with no problems, But again there are the few whom get violent with drink inside yet are as meek as a lamb without the Alcohol. I have seen it happen, I am aware that drunks are not meant to be served yet with clubs and so many at the bar waiting to be served, can the staff really give the time required to see whom has had over the limit, I leave this for you to work out.
But a stop to cheap booze nights would be a good place to start, as with the extra cash raised this could go to help with any problems that arise outside the clubs and town centre.”
by tykelip
Sunday, September 23 2012, 9:53PM
“Inspector Gade asks..."Why are people blaming alcohol, you don't blame guns for shooting people?"
But you don't blame the alcohol, do you? You blame those people who drink too much of it and then spoil things for other people.”
by Walker100
Sunday, September 23 2012, 6:08PM
“"Is it still illegal to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk?
Yes. The Act includes an offence of selling alcohol, or attempting to sell alcohol, to a person who is drunk, or knowingly to allow alcohol to be sold to such a person.
The categories of person to whom this offence applies include, any person who works at the premises in a capacity (whether paid or unpaid) which gives him authority to sell the alcohol, the holder of the premises licence and the designated premises supervisor (if any) and, in the case of a club, any member or officer of the club who is present on the premises in a capacity which enables him to prevent it. In the case of premises used for a permitted temporary activity, the premises user in relation to the event notice in question could also commit this offence.
The sentence, on conviction of this offence, is a fine of up to £1,000."
Martin, how about just enforcing the laws that exist and see how many licensees continue to sell alcohol to people that are clearly drunk after a few convictions? Is it really that hard?”
by InspectorGade
Sunday, September 23 2012, 1:09PM
“I have enjoyed most weekends and I admit it, drank too much on quite a few occasions. However I have never got into a fight, never sexually assaulted someone, never smashed a windscreen, never vandalised anything, have ever been arrested, cautioned or even spoken to by the police. Why are people blaming alcohol, you don't blame guns for shooting people?”
by whiteangeluk
Saturday, September 22 2012, 3:30PM
“I like the way you state pay day drunks I would guess that these are few compared to student nights where drinks are buy 1 get 2 free and shots at £1 plus other others ran by the clubs in town.
I know some drink at home before hitting the town, but it's time that there was a crack down on these cheap booze nights as where others pick up the pieces like the 10 Special Constable running patrols. Where are the landlords that have served them with more drink, I remember they will be counting out the nights tills to see how much they have made. While others are sorting out the many that have got in fights or broken windows or damaged property on their way home.
We need a crack down on these cheap drink nights, or fine the clubs that have helped the person to drink so much so they are unaware of their actions. It could also carry breathalyzers so they stop serving drinks to those over a certain limit.”
by Ms_Superstar
Friday, September 21 2012, 7:48PM
“Positive words from Mr Surl there.
Much better than the "Daily Mail" Editor's opinion, which takes a good-news story about a few public-spirited volunteer police officers and turns it into a wholesale condemnation of Gloucestershire's night-time economy.
And let's get strong alcohol sales restricted to pubs, clubs and specialist off-licences, the bins emptied and the toilets open again!
That's what I think.
Ms Superstar
Unconventional”
by MartinSurl
Friday, September 21 2012, 5:40PM
“Martin Surl the independent candidate for Police & Crime Commissioner in Gloucestershire says this is a good initiative, but the use of specials constables is only one part of the solution.
Everyone must play their part and Colin Pilsworth has done a remarkable job to bring together all the people that will make Cheltenham not only a safe place to be during the evening but also a place that is a pleasure for anyone, young, old or in between to visit at any time of day or night. That is the goal.
In 2007 when I was Commander in Cheltenham we launch a programme called, 'Reducing Alcohol Related Crime & Disorder'. The project had looked across the globe to see what worked and what didn't and as a result Cheltenham produced a 'code of practice' for all those involved in the night time economy. The code only received limited backing from my bosses at the time but was still pursued.
The code was well received by the trade and the community safety officers and if I'm elected it will be updated and re launched.
The price tag is low but the impact will be high.
Thank you to the Specials, Regulars, Street Pastors, Taxis, and Clubs & Pubs that are doing a pretty good job. The more we work together the greater our success will be.
This is the link to the 'Reducing Alcohol Related Crime & Disorder' project I led in 2007. http://tinyurl.com/8sw7uws
Let me know what you think?
Martin Surl
Independent”