Night-Time Violence Drops In Poole

Violent crime relating to the night time economy in Poole has reduced thanks to a scheme set up by Dorset Police and local pubs and clubs.

Council licensing, John Lambert (Jolly Sailor licensee), Gavin Wright (former licensee of Dundees), Town Center Management and PC Adam Gill from Poole Safer Neighbourhood Team, developed a new constitution owned by the licensees called Safe and Sound.

Safe and Sound was developed in 2008 and works like a pub watch scheme. Customers are banned from licensed premises for bad behavior or general violence.

When a person is banned from one premises, they are banned from all premises within the scheme for one year. Should they try to enter any of the premises, or cause problems after a ban, their ban will be increased.

In Poole town in 2007, 231 violent crimes relating to the night time economy were reported.

In the four years the Safe and Sound scheme has been running, violent crime has been reduced by 36.79% (85 incidents).

Safer Neighbourhood Team Officer, PC Adam Gill said:

“This has reduced overall violent crime relating to late night economy, and also the number of repeat offenders.

“The scheme has continually progressed and it is now going online for licensees to share information immediately. 

“They will have access to photos at the click of a button and they will be able to submit incidents for all members to see."