8 January 2009
City works together to curb late-night nuisance in Square
Mile
New measures by the City of London police, licensing officers,
environmental services, street cleansing, parking teams and
planners have started to cut crime, late-night-noise, mess and
other problems brought to the "Square Mile" by a change in
licensing and culture.
But in a report presented today (Thursday 8 January) City
leaders are promising to keep up the pressure on night-time
nuisances – without being kill-joys.
"The Square Mile is now a popular venue for late-night events,
parties and club nights, but things were getting out of hand. Our
duty to the City’s residents and general public means we’ve had to
continue to crack down on the nuisance while still allowing people
to have a good time. Progress has been made but there is more to
do," said Stuart Fraser, Chairman of the Policy and Resources
Committee.
"We will make every effort to ensure the City, as it evolves,
remains a safe place to live and work."
A report before the City Corporation’s governing "Common
Council" (which meets at Guildhall today) says the new task force
approach has seen a significant fall in violent crime related to
clubs and pubs, an increase in licenses under review and a
sea-change in levels of co-operation from night-spot owners and
operators. Key facts from City Police include (figures compare the
six months to January 2009 with the six months to July 2008):
- Violent crimes related to licensed premises down from 157 to
105, with overall alcohol-related crimes down from 173 to 117.
- In hot-spot premises, overall offences down from 87 to 46,
including one venue where, following a cut in late nights and the
introduction of an ID scanner, violent crimes dropped from 25 to
nine. Another venue that worked closely with the task force saw
crime fall from 12 incidents to six.
Problems had surfaced when, following changes in the UK law and
a change in approach by a number of City venues meant that the
numbers of post-2am licences went from 9 to 80 in 2007, with more
than 30 operating late hours on a regular basis. Issues included
late-night noise on the streets, huge numbers of discarded flyers,
bottles and cans – plus urination, vomit, etc. An increase in
violence was also recorded. Promoted events with featured DJs, each
with their own following, had been a particular concern, the report
said.
A task force set up in mid 2008 led to a more integrated
approach, with City of London Police, British Transport Police,
fire, environmental health, parking control and licensing officers
meeting fortnightly to assess intelligence, review premises giving
rise for concern and ordering action. Also included were street
cleansing and planning officers.
City Police officers changed their shift patterns to meet the
needs of the new night-time economy, putting more officers on duty
at night, with an additional seven sergeants moved to the
ultra-local "ward policing" model.
City Police also established a four-strong dedicated licensing
team to work inside the City of London Corporation’s own
Environmental Services team and placed an officer inside the Met
Police’s Clubs and Vice unit at Charing Cross police station. A new
bye-law is also being passed making urination or defecation in
public an offence with a £500 fine.
The Safer City Partnership (SCP) which includes City Police,
City Corporation and London Fire Brigade further developed the work
of all partners in this area. Building on years of good practice
and relationships the Safety Thirst Awards Scheme encourages pubs
and clubs to keeping their venue safe and free from crime and has
been pivotal in improving crime prevention in the City. Taxi
Marshals have been provided by the SCP at Liverpool Street station,
with additional funding by the City of London Corporation. These
have also been effective in helping late-night revellers make their
way home peacefully and more safely.
Extensive work with club and pub owners and best-practice
procedures for security and safety were mirrored by meetings, and
briefings for residents and non-leisure businesses.
The owners of buildings let out to clubs, bars and pubs were
also briefed and specialist evidence-gathering undertaken,
sometimes under cover, to present to licence hearings about
premises where problems were reported.
Rigorous assessment of the risk led to 13 promoted events (out
of a total of 295 held between February and July 2008) being
cancelled because of police and other concerns.
Late-night illegal car-parking has also been targeted, with
night patrols issuing 600 tickets since March. Already £130,000 has
been approved for these patrols which include a towing-truck on the
streets. Other measures include controlled drink zones and
good-behaviour zones in key locations, giving police more powers to
take immediate action.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
The City of London Corporation: The City of London Corporation,
which provides local government services for the Square Mile, the
financial and commercial heart of Britain, works nationally and
internationally to maintain and enhance the City as a world-leading
international financial and business centre. Its other special
responsibilities and services to London and the wider UK include
the City of London Police, Barbican Arts Centre, Central Criminal
Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open space including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale food markets,
two inner-London City Academies, the City Bridge Trust, economic
regeneration programmes in neighbouring boroughs and acting as
London’s Port Health Authority. The Lord Mayor of the City of
London (currently Ian Luder, an eminent tax accountant) works
extensively at home and abroad to promote the City.
Press enquiries:
Fiona Milligan, Direct Line: 020 7332 3451 Mobile: 07900 244 200 or
fiona.milligan@cityoflondon.gov.uk