The Safe Bus project is extending its period of operation to include an extra night, Sunday 30 August 2009, to cover the bank holiday.
The Safe Bus provides a safe environment and assistance from a group of multi-agency volunteers, for anyone who is vulnerable as a result of being intoxicated, injured, lost or unable to get back to their accommodation.
The bus has been parked in the town centre from 10pm until 3am, every Friday and Saturday night for the last five weeks. During this time, volunteers, including two Special Constables, two Police Community Support Officers, two members of the public, a paramedic and an alcohol addiction counsellor, have helped 59 vulnerable people who have boarded the bus, of which 41 have been seen by the paramedic.
The project was due to come to an end this Saturday, but following the successful use of the bus it was decided to extend the project to cover the whole bank holiday weekend, including Sunday 30 August 2009.
Acting Inspector Steve Lyne, Deputy Section Commander for Bournemouth Central, said: “Over the past five weeks the use of the Safe Bus has proved effective in reducing the number of people, in need of medical assistance, going to Accident and Emergency, occasions where ambulances have to be called into the town centre, and occurrences of police being involved in minor incidents.
“While I do not anticipate any trouble in the town centre during the evening on bank holiday Sunday, traditionally, a lot of people come into the area at this time and I want them to have access to the services available under the Safe Bus project.”
