Scheme to curb drunken violence reduces crime rate

A new scheme in Manchester aimed at curbing drink-related crime and disorder has helped cut the crime rate by 8.5 per cent, according to police.

Superintendent Garry Shewan told The Publican Newspaper crime had risen in the city by 225 per cent over the last four years due to an increase in licensed premises and consequent rise in the volume of people drinking in the city centre.

But the introduction of the "think safe, drink safe" initiative has helped reverse this trend, with current figures showing a drop of almost nine per cent.

The scheme, which is just about to enter its second phase, has seen a number of new initiatives set up since last year, including:

• a radio network that allows doorstaff to communicate any problems to each other
• a local CCTV network linked back to Greater Manchester Police
• the launch of an arrest referral scheme which ensures those committing crimes under
  the influence of alcohol are referred to an alcohol awareness scheme.

However, Mr Shewan, who is responsible for the running of the Greater Manchester Police initiative, said there was still a lot more to be done.

He said: "At the latest count - for an area just a bit bigger than a square mile - we had 180,000 people drinking in the city on a Friday and a Saturday night.

With so many people coming into the area to drink it can be a bit of a problem.

"We've been working more closely with licensees as well as the local hospitals and this is the way forward."

Now it is hoped that the second phase of the initiative will be just as successful.

"The second phase concentrates on changing people's perceptions of drink and is aimed at discouraging the whole binge-drinking culture," Mr Shewan said.

"We hope it will be as successful as the first part and we're asking licensees and businesses in the area to get involved."

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Manchester scheme to curb drunken violence a success (June 14, 2001)