Bedford Borough Council

Goodbye Dodge City, hello Bedford It's not just major city centres that turn into no-go areas for law-abiding citizens whendrink-related problems get out of hand. Between 2000 and 2002, the once-quiet market town of Bedford saw a steady rise in overall town-centre crime and a 27% increase in violent crime. A crime audit confirmed that the town centre had become the most violent area in the borough. And, while an estimated 6,000 people descend on Bedford's town centre venues on a Friday and Saturday night, research by theborough council showed a negative shift inpublic perceptions of safety. Most people said they avoided the town centre at night ­ an uncomfortable message for a council that ranks provision of leisure services among its core objectives. Its response was the launch, early in 2003, of Bed:Safe, an initiative set up by the council through North Bedfordshire Community Safety Partnership. Bed:Safe's mission is "to sustain a vibrant evening and night-time, leisure-based economy that is safe and where people feel safe". To achieve this it has used every available technique, from radio links between licensed premises to auniversal ban on persistent troublemakers. According to Gillian Anderson, Bed:Safe's project manager, the initiative marked a recognition that the character of Bedford had changed from county market town to entertainment venue. The first step in establishing the scheme was to set up a steering group drawn from the statutory agencies and other stakeholders: police, magistrates, local authorities, fire service, drug-action team, licensees, door supervisors, Bedford Town Centre Company and the town's Charles Wells Brewery. "We needed to work together before we tried to engage other agencies," says Anderson. "Our communication links needed to be strong. Once this was achieved, and an element of trust was established, we started work with others." Achieving buy-in from licensees and door supervisors was obviously vital, but Anderson admits there was scepticism from licensees at first. "In the past, we've launched schemes that started with a flourish and then dwindled to nothing. So some licensees certainly thought here we go again'." But Anderson asked themnot to pre-judge the scheme and stressed that it was a long-term programme to address long-term issues. With "a considerable amount of effort" a licensees' forum was established that now meets once a month. All but one of Bedford's towncentre licensed premises has signed up to the scheme (the other is currently undergoing re-licensing) and between 20 and 25 licenseestypically attend each meeting. Similar attendance is achieved at a monthly door supervisors' forum, whose members have been able to discuss concerns specific to door staff, such as the new Security Industry Authority (SIA) registration scheme and its implications. With Bed:Safe's help, more than 300 door supervisors also underwent training to British Institute of Innkeeping standards, through Bedford College and training provider Licenza, in readiness for the SIA scheme. As part of itswork with licensees, Bed:Safe developed a "quality charter", setting standards for licensed premises within the town. Under this, Bed:Safe signatories are expected to reduce opportunities for crime, disorder and bad behaviour by paying attention to the layout, structure, lighting and general conditions of their premises, training door staff and co-operating with the police and other licensees. "We do monthly, unannounced joint inspections with police, fire and licensing officers," says Anderson. "It's not a full inspection ­ just a spot check of the essentials, such as capacity and insurances. And we rotate the inspections so licensees don't know we're coming. To be honest, it's something that a lot of licensees have wanted for ages. They'd rather operate on a level playing field." This year Bed-Safe launched BAND ­ Bedford Against Night-time Disorder ­ to combat persistent levels of violence and disorder. Individuals involved in violence, criminal damage or using and supplying drugs can be excludedfrom all Bed:Safe premises for up to a year, with licensees voting on individual cases at their monthly forums. Since Bed:Safe's launch, these and other initiatives have contributed to a 6% fall in reported instances of violence against people. Licensees must value Bed:Safe since they have now agreed to put up £300 each per year towards the costs of the scheme. The cash will help fund maintenance of a "Nite Net" radio system, which is used to share information about potential troublemakers, and pay for administration of BAND. Any remaining funds will be spent on marketing, to encourage nervous customers back into the town centre. The first promotion kicks off at Christmas, with a five-week campaign through the local radio station. "The hardest people to attract are the ones whose perception is that it's still like Dodge City," says Anderson. "After 18 months, we think it's time to say come in and have another look'." Vibrant, safe streets Bedford won because it created and sustained "a vibrant evening and night-time leisure-based economy that is safe and where people feel safe". Others shortlisted: Blackpool, Bournemouth, Manchester, Slough and West Berkshire.