North of Bristol, Avon and Somerset police and South Gloucestershire Council, with licensees, are working together on safe nights out in Chipping Sodbury and Kingswood. Philippa Isbell, Anti-Social Behaviour and Community Team leader at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy a safe night out in our town centres and this extends to people working in pubs and clubs as well as residents who live in Chipping Sodbury and Kingswood. Our taxi marshals are also be on hand to ensure that anyone needing to get a cab ride home in the early hours of the morning can do so safely.”
Police have extended their dedicated weekend foot patrols in both towns, providing an extra reassuring uniformed presence in the town centres from early evening until 4am – on top of routine area patrols.
Neighbourhoods Inspector Bob Evely said: “Our officers work closely with South Gloucestershire Council’s taxi marshals, CCTV teams, licensing and trading standards officers as well as Pub Watch and street pastors to make sure Kingswood and Chipping Sodbury remain safe places to go out.
“Since we introduced the extended patrols six weeks ago we have made 11 arrests, for offences including drug possession, causing harassment, alarm or distress through words or behaviour and drink driving. One person was taken into custody on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and two were arrested for common assaults causing minor injury.
“Our message is that we welcome people coming to enjoy themselves but will be on hand to take action in case of alcohol-fuelled nuisance or disorder.”
As part of patrols, officers work with council Trading Standards and Licensing staff to check that pubs and clubs are meeting restrictions on noise and opening hours and are not selling alcohol to anyone already incapacitated by drink or under age.
