Wolverhampton Keep It Safe Campaign – A step towards a safer night-time economy Ros JervisJayne Freeman-Evans Consultant in Public HealthPrincipal EHO Wolverhampton City PCTWolverhampton City Council 18 th September 2009

Keep It Safe - Background PCT Board approved funding October 2008 Multi-agency project The ‘Keep It Safe’ Partnership established: –reduction in the number of alcohol-fuelled violent assaults –reduction in the number of alcohol-related ambulance call-outs –reduction in the number of alcohol-related A&E attendances Outcome measures and evaluation Four weeks of intense activity ‘Keep It Safe’ launched on 5 December 2008

Keep It Safe – Campaign Initiatives Phase 1: 5 Dec to 3 Jan Marketing campaign inc. DVD production and distribution of merchandise Increased police presence Safe Havens/Street Pastors Temporary medical centre and roving ambulance Multi-agency enforcement team Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaign (DVEC) team Phase 2: 9 Jan to 21 March Distribution of Keep It Safe merchandise Increased police presence Enforcement activity for licensed businesses DVEC teams and Crisis Intervention Service Trading standards under- age/proxy sales research project Evaluation

Keep It Safe Images

Keep It Safe – Marketing Campaign Communications led by WCC Washroom posters Beer mats Freebies - survival kits/key rings/flip-flops/ spikeys Press statements/media enquiries Briefings Stills DVD

Poster Artwork

Beer mat Artwork

Keep It Safe – Key Findings Phase 1: 5 Dec to 3 Jan 37% drop in violent crime across the City (41% G1; 35% G2) A&E – dropped by 7.4%, and 36% on New Years Eve Ambulance call-outs fell by 13.6% and by 28% on New Years Eve Phase 2: 9 Jan to 21 March 12% reduction in violent crime 8.5% fall in A&E attendance 5% increase in ambulance call-out

Keep It Safe - Highlights The bringing together of partner agencies in a co-ordinated approach; now considered sustainable Communication between partners was well co-ordinated Businesses and licensed premises were engaged and overall very positive Night time multi-agency visits enabled appropriate follow up and enforcement action – and continuing…….. High visibility police especially at fixed security points deterred criminal activity and promoted public reassurance The merchandise was well received Within budget – estimated savings greater Shortlisted for prestigious CMO Public Health award

Keep It Safe - Enforcement Development of a multi agency inspection team Carried out ‘mini’ inspections and a licence information gathering exercise Use of check sheets very worthwhile Trade welcomed visits and the presence of more enforcement officers within the city Increased Responsible Authorities officers knowledge of licensing legislation Gave Responsible Authorities opportunity to do inspections of licensed premises trading in the early hours of the morning Able to direct covert surveillance into most problematic areas As well as enforcement issues officers became multi operational including assisting at the safe haven, undertaking customer survey

Keep It Safe - Enforcement Action taken since December One PLH was prosecuted for trading after permitted hours Police used expedited review procedures and closure powers under the Licensing Act 10 Premises Licence Reviews have been applied for and heard by the Licensing Sub- Committee Multi agency enforcement work is ongoing and a memorandum of understanding between Responsible Authorities has been developed

Keep It Safe - Enforcement Lessons learnt Develop an enforcement outcome plan at the planning stage – we were a little to eager in taking action without informing relevant people as to what we were trying to achieve Think carefully what you want to achieve, don’t presume all have the same ideas as you, especially Members and solicitors!!

Keeping Wolverhampton Safer? Evaluation report shared with partner agencies particularly the lessons learned Successful bid for SWP funding (£75,000) for 2009/2010 Planning meetings now underway for Keep It Safe II Share experience and learning regionally and nationally Please see