Hull has taken first steps for its city centre to gain national recognition as a safe, attractive night-time leisure venue.
If successful, the area could be ranked among the best night-life locations in the country, attracting more families and older visitors to the city and marina area after 6pm.<br><br>Humberside Police, Hull City Council, Hull Business Improvement District (BID), Hull Primary Care Trust and other organisations are uniting to bid for a Purple Flag for the area.<br><br>The aim is to enhance cultural and leisure activities to boost tourism, visitor and local income by creating a safe, secure, welcoming and well managed environment which will generate more income.<br><br>A Purple Flag is nationally accredited and is similar to Blue flags for beaches and Green flags for parks. City centres which have already have the Purple Flag award include Bath, Birmingham, Covent Garden and Leicester Square, London. The scheme launched last year and has the support of the Home Office.<br><br>A steering group has been established involving key partner agencies in the application process due to be completed on 13 January 2012. Following this they will be preparing for an inspection before hopefully securing the Purple Flag accreditation.<br><br>Kathryn Shillito from Hull BID said: "We want to make Hull city centre the place to go day and night. This can be achieved through continuing the good management of night-time areas, not just about licensed premises. The application considers things like transport and street cleaning, whilst encouraging venues to offer something a little bit different to do, such as a comedy evening or live music event, rather than just providing a drinking environment. It’s about pulling together all the interests in the area to make sure it is a vibrant place to visit.<br><br>"A huge amount of really good work has already been done. Events like Yum! Hull BID’s Food Festival, the Freedom Festival and Sky Ride are making Hull City Centre an attractive place to visit and anti-social behaviour in the night time economy is decreasing showing that we are carefully managing and developing the appeal of the night-time economy.<br><br>"As the Purple Flag becomes more nationally recognised it is going to be a quality standard to be used in all our communications and tourism and marketing material."<br><br>Chief Inspector Barry Longstaff, from Humberside Police said: “Hull city centre is becoming a safer place to socialise with the introduction of various initiatives to tackle those who cause disorder and commit crime. This has been highlighted by the successful roll out of Drink Banning Orders to prevent regular trouble makers from returning and the issuing of red cards to anyone given a Section 27 under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 and directs them to leave the Hull City Centre Safer Entertainment Zone.<br><br>“Along with partner agencies we are utilising all our powers to create a safe environment in which the public can work, live and play. The application for the Purple Flag shows we are committed to putting the city on the map as a fantastic place to visit and supporting businesses and the local economy by encouraging more people to socialise in Hull.”<br><br>Councillor John Hewitt, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and families said: “Hull has a vibrant night life offering entertainment for all tastes and ages, and makes a significant contribution to the city’s economy overall. Working together with our CitySafe partners we aim to keep it sustainable and safe for residents, visitors and business people.<br><br>"By applying for Purple Flag status we are demonstrating our commitment to qualitative management of our night time economy and sending a clear message to potential miscreants that rowdy, anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”<br><br>Alex Norman from NHS Hull said: "The Purple Flag initiative can make a positive contribution to the well being the people of Hull through improving community safety and reducing drink related harm."
Police in Hull have been granted 50 Drink Banning Orders (DBO) against people responsible for repeated nuisance and violence in Hull in the last 6 months.
The majority of the DBO’s relate to the Safer Entertainment Zone (SEZ) in Hull city centre, with two which apply to the whole of Hull.
The 50th DBO was secured at Hull Magistrates Court on Tuesday 23 August 2011.
Inspector Andy Parsons, from Hull’s Violent Crime and Licensing Team said: “Humberside Police, Hull City Council, Hull Business Improvement District and other multi-agency partners are committed to making Hull a vibrant crime free night out, and DBO’s are helping us prevent those people who cause disorder from entering the safer entertainment zone.
“The action taken against the 50 people with DBO’s demonstrates that we will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour within the Safer Entertainment Zone, and we will take positive action to deal with offenders. The duration of the orders varies but will undoubtedly have an impact on the individuals social lives, and I hope the conditions imposed will assist them in taking responsibility for changing their behaviour in the future.
“We will continue to seek DBO’s against offenders who continue to be a nuisance to the law abiding majority. By dealing with the minority of trouble causers we will make the area a better place to work and socialise."
The 50th DBO is Christopher Stephen Whitfield (25) of Marfleet Avenue, Hull who was convicted for assault on Lowgate, Hull on Saturday 25 June 2011. He was given a 16 week custodial sentence at Hull Magistrates Court on Tuesday 23 August 2011.
His DBO will last for a period of two years and his conditions are not to:
1. Enter any ‘on’ licence premises (Pubs/Clubs/Restaurants) within the Hull city centre SEZ on any day including Public Holidays at any time between 19.00 – 07.00.
2. Have with him or in his possession in a public place any container or vessel containing alcohol in the Hull city centre SEZ on any day at any time between 19.00 – 07.00.
3. Be drunk in a public place within the Hull city centre SEZ on any day at any time between 19.00 – 07.00.
Inspector Parsons added: “Along with DBO’s, the police and partner agencies have introduced a number of initiatives designed at tackling those people who cause trouble on nights out and prevent offending before it occurs. These include the issuing of red cards to anyone given a Section 27 order, and the issuing of fixed penalty notices to people who are drunk and incapable.
“In addition, we are continuing to run the police and paramedic response car on a Friday and Saturday Night, supporting the role out of ultra safe polycarbonate glasses to licensed premises. We are working with security staff and taxi’s to ensure they are following legislation, and supporting partner agencies in the city in reducing crime in Hull city centre.
“These initiatives have helped to reduce the number of contact violence incidents considerably in Hull city centre, and we are committed to making Hull even safer in the future.”
