Authorites aim to prevent trouble (From Campaign Series)

Authorites aim to prevent trouble

5:22pm Monday 8th February 2010

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WITH the Six Nations taking place over the next few weeks there is a campaign across the Caerphilly borough to prevent alcohol related crime and disorder in town centres during the championships.

Gwent Police and Caerphilly County Borough Council, who are both members of the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, will be working together to tackle a range of issues over the coming weeks.

Officers were set to contact all licensees in the area ahead of the first match on Saturday February 6 to remind them of their role in serving alcohol responsibly.

Licensees are also being encouraged to check that their CCTV systems are working correctly.

During the tournament, police and trading standards will be visiting licensed premises to check that all door staff are SIA (Security Industry Authority) approved, the premises are safe and adhering to the licensing conditions.

Local officers, together with the council's Community Safety Wardens will also be providing an increased presence in the town centres to deter any crime and disorder on match days.

In Blackwood town centre, they will be joined by Street Pastors, a group of volunteers who offer care and support to people on nights out on Fridays and Saturdays. Their pastoral role includes helping to prevent people from becoming victims of crime as well as promoting personal and community safety in the town centre.

If anyone does need medical attention, a triage centre will be operating in Blackwood Market Place, to provide care for those who are injured or intoxicated.

St John's Ambulance, along with a doctor and a nurse will be on hand to provide care and help reduce the number of people who need to go to Accident and Emergency departments at their busiest times.

The triage centre has been well received by the public, most recently over Christmas. It will be open from 9.30pm until 2am Friday February 26 and Saturday March 20.

Caerphilly County Borough Council's CCTV operators will also be working around the clock to monitor the town centres and look out for any incidents of disorder. Should any occur, they have direct links to Gwent Police officers and CCBC's Community Safety Wardens, enabling them to report these immediately.

The mobile CCTV van will also be out in the community to act as a deterrent to possible instances of anti-social behaviour.

Caerphilly Partnership Inspector Alan Webber, said: "We want people to enjoy the Six Nations, but to act responsibly when they are out in local pubs and clubs. The majority of people do, and we are working with our partners and the licensing trade to prevent those individuals who drink too much, from going on to cause disorder in our town centres."

Cllr Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said, "By working together with our partners, and with volunteers such as the Street Pastors and St John's Ambulance, we are putting in a series of measures to help ensure that the forthcoming Six Nations rugby tournament is a safe and enjoyable one for all concerned."

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