Stay Safe in the City this Christmas
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Keep Safe in the City this Christmas
Safe Newcastle is encouraging party goers to keep safe in the city this Christmas.
During December and into the New Year a whole range of activity is taking place that will improve the safety of all aspects of Newcastle’s night-time economy, from customer safety in bars and clubs to getting home safely after a night out.
Safe Newcastle partners, including Newcastle City Council, Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service are working together as part of ‘Safe in the City’, to ensure Newcastle’s reputation for a fun and safe night out continues.
The majority of revellers who come into the city enjoy a trouble free night, but the increase in numbers of people may increase certain types of crime.
Police figures have shown traditionally Christmas is a time when violent crime increases, with The Bigg Market, The Gate and surrounding areas identified as ‘hotpspots’.
Cllr Anita Lower, Chair of Safe Newcastle explains more:
“Safe in the City has brought partners together who can make a real impact on making the city centre a safer place for people who come to enjoy a night out.
“Although our activity will be focused on hot-spot areas we also appreciate we need to ensure people are safe when they travel in and out of the city, move around it during their night out and in licensed premises during the night.
“Because of the partners involved, Safe Newcastle is in a great position to make huge improvements to the safety of city at night but we are also encouraging party-goers to follow a few tips and keep their wits about them to prevent a night out ruining the rest of their life.
“We want people to have a good time over Christmas but also want them to keep safe”.
Superintendent Jo Farrell, Newcastle Area Command, encouraged people to enjoy a safe night out in the city, be aware of their personal safety and warned them not to cross the line into crime.
She said: "We want everyone to feel welcome in Newcastle and enjoy its vibrant nightlife over the festive season. Our officers will be working hard to ensure everyone enjoys a safe night out in the city, and will deal with individuals whose behaviour disrupts the enjoyment of others.
"We're working closely with our partners at Safe Newcastle to carry out a number of initiatives to ensure people's safety and I hope they take heed of our advice.
"We don't want people to become so drunk they become easy targets for criminals or get involved in disorder and end their evening on a sour note.
"Some key advice includes don't drink too much, travel together and use a licensed taxi, and never, ever go off with people you don't know. And it's imperative people look after their personal belongings by keeping mobile phones, purses and wallets close to them at all times."
As part of the Safe in the City campaign, posters displaying safety messages are being displayed across the city, on the metro system and leaflets are distributed to people during the night.
To have a safe, enjoyable night out Safe Newcastle is encouraging people to follow a few simple tips. They are also reminded of the severe consequences of getting involved in any sort of violence - a criminal record or worse.
- Keep your wits about you and don’t drink too much
- Never leave your drink unattended
- Best Bar None venues are committed to keeping you safe – look out for the logo
- Walk away if you don’t feel safe or from situations that seem aggressive, but always stay with your friends.
- Be aware when you’re drunk you may appear threatening to others
- Always stick to well lit areas where there are lots of people
- Get home safely - use a marshalled taxi rank or a Go North East Night Bus.
- Street Pastors (an independent Christian charity) are there to help you, offering practical help or a listening ear.
To make the city centre safer this Christmas Safe Newcastle will be carrying out the following activity as part of Safe in the City:
Operation Velvet – making bars, pubs and clubs safer
Travelling safely:
Safe Newcastle is making sure you get home safely after a night out this Christmas as part of Safe in the City.
- Use a Marshalled Taxi Rank
- Make sure it’s licensed
- And make sure its safe
- Get a night bus
