Selby police set up night-time management team (From York Press)

Selby police set up night-time management team

9:28am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A DEDICATED team is being set up by Selby police to ensure the town is safe for everyone.

The night-time management team will be there to direct police officers, night marshals and special constables to the right place at the right time.

They will also look at the bigger picture to see if more taxis are needed at particular ranks, if takeaways are coping with customers or whether there is likely to be a large influx of people coming into town from the bus station.

The plans were developed after a “night-time audit” last month which saw professionals from a variety of agencies, along with district councillors, head into the town on a Saturday night to see the situation for themselves.

Selby sergeant Kevin Brighton is leading the campaign to keep the town safe.

He said: “The night-time visual audit gave all agencies with responsibilities relating to the picture of Selby town the opportunity to view the real picture during the evenings.

“Partners including Selby district and town councils, Highways, drug and alcohol referral agencies and others are all working together to rectify problems and put procedures in place to minimise recurring issues we have, related to the nighttime economy in the town.

“We hope that the findings of this and the continued work and co-ordinated procedures we are putting into place will make Selby a safer night out for more of the community and will help people venture into the town centre in the evenings feeling reassured and positive and most of all having a good, safe time.”

The plans will be in place in time for this summer’s football World Cup when it is expected that more people than ever will be drinking in Selby town centre.

PC Jon Gregson, North Yorkshire Police’s licensing officer, said: “We want people to enjoy the night scene of Selby before, during the World Cup and beyond but we want to minimise the harm caused by the few who can’t handle their drink and ruin it for the rest of the community.

“We will be seeking more court exclusion orders for alcohol-related violence in and around licence premises and will be cracking down on the few who ruin it for the rest.”