AUG 2007: Drunken crimes and anti-social behaviour in
Norwich city centre have fallen thanks to new licensing laws, the
SOS Bus and the Christian-based
Street Pastors initiative.
The improvements have been noticeable in the city's entertainment areas such as Prince of Wales Road, which was once dubbed “the most dangerous street in Norwich”.
Recently released figures revealed assaults on Friday and Saturday nights have almost halved since the laws come into force in November 2005. In 2003 there were 141 offences relating to assault; this dropped to 74 by the end of last year.
At a meeting of the
Norwich City Centre Licensing Forum last week
Ian Streeter, senior licensing officer for
Norwich City Council, said there had been positive changes over the past two years.
He said: “Since licensing laws were changed there has not been a rise in disorder. In fact we have seen violence and crime go down. There has been a marked drop in offences on Friday and Saturday evenings. There are also fewer complaints coming into the council about anti-social behaviour.”
Mr Streeter added there were only two venues in the city centre which applied for 24-hour licensing, with the rest opting for licences until midnight, 1am or 2am for pubs and 3am for clubs.
Fears that groups of people forced out of pubs by the smoking ban could get involved in anti-social behaviour had also failed to be realised. “Smoke free regulations are now firmly in place,” he said. “The majority of places have been compliant and the few that have not are given the guidance and action is taken accordingly.”
Inspector Peter Walsh, who oversees the operation to manage the night-time economy in Norwich, said: “Our aim is to work with residents, local authorities and those managing and operating late-night establishments to make the city and market town centres safe and attractive places to work, visit and live.
We must also acknowledge the work of volunteers, the SOS Bus crews and the new street pastors, who make a vital contribution to the safety of the mainly young people.”
Julian Foster, chairman of the
Norwich Citizens Forum and the
Norwich Licensing Committee, said: “This is very welcome news. There was a lot of planning and the success is down to the continued work of the licensing forum and its relationship with residents and local licensees.”