New night time team to be launched to tackle alcohol related violence in Southwark

Antisocial and violent late night behavior, illegal alcohol sales, and unlicensed entertainment venues are all set to be tackled in Southwark as a new night time crime-busting team is unveiled.  

As part of the borough's violent crime strategy, which is set to be adopted next week, a new team is being set up to reduce alcohol related violence in the borough.  

Although figures show that Southwark has seen a 9% reduction in recorded incidents of violence against the person over the last five years, the Safer Southwark Partnership feels there is still much to be done, and is determined to build on the good work achieved so far.  

Nearly half of all crime in the UK is alcohol related, according to the British Crime Survey.  

The new team is to work on weekend evenings and nights, to:

• Make sure late night pubs, clubs and food outlets comply with health and safety requirements.
• Provide a rapid response to tackle anti social and violent behaviour
• Reduce crime and fear of crime
• Improve Southwark's night time economy for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses

The new team will consist of police, community wardens, officers from the council's licensing team as well as a paramedic. It's expected that the team will be in place by March of next year.  

The plan is part of the Safer Southwark Partnership's violent crime strategy, which will set out its priorities for the next five years, and which is expected to be adopted by the council on Tuesday 14 December.  

Councillor John Friary, cabinet member for community safety at Southwark Council, said:  

"Although recorded violent crime has come down over the last five years, with an overall reduction of 9% since 2005/06, residents have said it is one the issues that concerns them most. With that in mind, and because a violent crime strategy was one of our key manifesto pledges, I am determined to see this long term vision for us and our partners produce results. It will help us not only identify the causes of violent crime but also prevent it from happening, and as such is going to be a vital tool in continuing to make the borough safer."

Other highlights from the strategy include intentions, where funding allows, to:

• Create a partnership team in areas where violence is an issue
• Increase the uniformed presence in areas of Southwark to prevent Low level violence
• Create "safe routes" for pupils to and from certain schools
• Target and support those most at risk of committing serious violent crime

Commander David Zinzan, Commander South East London at the Metropolitan Police, said he was impressed by the strategy. He added: 

"I think this violent crime strategy underlines the Safer Southwark Partnership's strong commitment to making the borough safer, and is a great example of their partnership working. It reflects a really innovative approach and I wholeheartedly support their work in this area."  

Other recommendations from the strategy  

Low level violence:

• Establish a multi agency programme, including increasing the visible uniformed presence, focused over the summer period, in the north of the borough on Fridays and Saturdays and involving communities and businesses.  

Robbery:

• Realign partnership resources to concentrate on after school hours and late evenings, the two peak periods for personal robbery.
• Create "safe routes" for pupils between schools and the Elephant and Castle/neighbouring estates, involving local services and residents.  

Serious violence - including group and weapon violence:

• Develop multi agency approach on a clearly defined area focusing on estates, and connected illegal economy.
• Ensure early intervention is targeted at those most at risk of committing serious violent crime and that exit programmes enable people to make decisions to move away from serious violence lifestyles.  

Addressing violent offenders:

• To review and improve current arrangements for identifying and supporting young people and adults (Risk Management Panel, Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements and Priority and Prolific Offenders) to ensure offenders are managed by the most appropriate scheme locally.
• To include transitional arrangements for those moving from young person to adult services.