Police and councillors hail fall in town centre assaults

POLICE and councillors have praised an improved public safety record in North East Lincolnshire after a dramatic reduction in town centre violence.

Assaults have fallen by more than a half in Grimsby town centre over the last 12 months and in Cleethorpes by more than 42 per cent over the same period.

North East Lincolnshire Council said it had forged good relationships with licensees, and that the launch of Pubwatch schemes, the introduction of polycarbonate glasses, and “positive” door policies had all contributed to a safer night-time environment.

Humberside Police have also been taking a “robust” approach to policing licensed premises, the council said.

This has included carrying out test purchases of alcohol alongside trading standards officers, to check sales are not being made to under-age drinkers, and prompt interventions where premises have failed to meet expectations.

The council’s portfolio holder for community safety, neighbourhoods and customer service, Steve Beasant, said: “This result has been achieved following the hard work and dedication of Humberside Police and the Safer and Stronger Communities team, who have worked closely with local licence-holders and door staff.”

The alcohol and violence champion for Humberside Police, Insp Tom Shaw, also welcomed the reduction and said the multi-agency approach was working.

He said it was wrong to allow a minority of people who drink too much to spoil other people’s enjoyment.

“We are working to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a night out without being it being ruined by the minority of individuals who often drink to excess,” he said.

“There are many reasons why violence in our local night time economy has reduced, but one of the key factors has to be the partnership between the police, the local authority, licensees and door staff in the area.

“The initiatives we have in place, alongside the local alcohol intervention programme, work to ensure that North East Lincolnshire is a safe place to enjoy a night out.

“We also receive a great amount of support from the proactive members of our local Pubwatch schemes.”