Civilian ‘street marshalls’ have been launched in King’s Lynn town centre to help keep peace on the streets during the busy night-time period.
The security guards provide additional high visibility patrols and help promote a safe journey for pub and club-goers between venues, food outlets and taxi ranks as they leave the town.
Street marshalls are trained security officers who offer a link direct from the street to police and local venues.
They have been funded for a trial three-months by Norfolk Constabulary and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk as an additional measure to keep the town safe and trouble-free for residents and visitors alike.
The marshalls, who are Security Industry Authority (SIA) badge holders, have been provided by local company Security With Confidence.
Town centre Sgt Trevor Smith from the Lynn North Safer Neighbourhood Team has been working with licensees and partner agencies to get the scheme off the ground.
"This is a pilot scheme for King’s Lynn which we hope will enhance safety in the town centre for those out to enjoy its night life. Their presence in the street fills the gap between door security, CCTV and police," he said.
"The aim of the scheme is to encourage licensees to build upon existing safety measures by funding street marshalls and, in that way, take some responsibiluty for customers’ safety as they leave their premises and travel between venues.
Cllr David Harwood, the council’s Cabinet Member for Community, said: "King’s Lynn’s bars, restaurants and entertainment venues offer a wide range of choice and attract people to the town centre in the evenings at weekends.
"Working with the police and other agencies we want to help ensure that those who visit can have a safe and enjoyable evening. We welcome the trial of the Street Marshalls and hope that their presence will help people to feel reassured."
The marshalls, introduced last month, patrol on Friday and Saturday nights at the peak of the town’s night-time economy.
They wear high visibility jackets clearly marked with ‘STREET MARSHALL’ and have close links to the SOS Safe Haven bus which aims to offer help to any visitos who find themselves in trouble or unwell. Their main roles are to:
· Relay information directly to CCTV and police.
· Promoting a safer journey from venue to venue.
· Pro-actively deter anti-social behaviour.
· Help diffuse potentially aggressive or violent situations.
· Assist taxi ranks and takeaway outlets with awkward clients.
· Assist door staff with ejected/refused members of the public.
· Provide neutral witness statements in the event of an offence occurring.
Nick Carter, director of Security with Confidence, said: "Street marshalling is a project to reassure the public, provide people with confidence when travelling between venues. taxi ranks and takeaway outlets and to remove elements of anti-social behaviour in order to improve their evening out.
"Our marshalls work with front of house staff to assist with anti-social behaviour or potentially violent situations and are a neutral set of eyes, working closely with the police."
Since the scheme was launched in King’s Lynn four weeks ago, the street marshalls have dealt with an average of 30 incidents during a weekend, ranging from encouraging those caught drinking in the street to dispose of their alcohol, disrupting anti-social behaviour to help rescue a woman who had jumped into the River Ouse.
If the trial is successful, town centre venues will be encouraged to fund the scheme in the long term.
Street marshalls have been introduced under the umbrella of Nightsafe, a partnership scheme to maximise night-time safety and security to the benefit of visitors and those with an investment in the night-time economy.
Visit www.securitywithconfidence.co.uk
