- Plans for a 24-hour bus service in Preston are under consideration again. City leaders are to discuss the idea of a round-the-clock bus service as a way of solving some of the city's late-night booze trouble. Talks are already taking place between club and taxi bosses and the police about the prospect of running a late-night bus from outside Preston's biggest nightclub. The idea of 24-hour public bus service was due to be discussed by members of Preston Council's environment review board when they met on Thursday. Councillors will then decide if they want to take a more detailed look at the suggestion. Sgt Andy Hobson, alcohol project manager for Preston, who is currently on secondment at the Central Lancashire PCT, said: "Our night time economy continues to expand and effective planning of transport routes can have a positive impact on reducing victims and improving visitors' perceptions of Preston." Lancashire Evening Post The report considered at the meeting is here.
- Ulverston police are stepping up street patrols to cut down on criminal damage in the run up to Christmas. Latest crime figures show an increase of 27 per cent in incidents of criminal damage in Ulverston. Between April and November this year 331 complaints were recorded. Police hope a night time economy Streetsafe operation, set to take place in the town tomorrow, will help deter offenders. Officers will visit pubs and clubs to get views from members of the public on alcohol related offences, starting from Ulverston Police Station at 7pm.
Streetsafe operations have run in South Lakeland over a number of years, usually during the day. This new approach will give an opportunity to raise the profile of ongoing police activity, the role of Barwatch, the work of licensing teams and crucially, highlighting what owners and managers of licensed premises can do to prevent damage to their property. As part of the Respect campaign and ongoing police work, names of those who commit anti-social offences will be referred to either the Barwatch Committee or the Anti-Social Behaviour Case Conferencing Team, with the potential to result in Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. North West Evening Mail
- Yobs in Telford will be shown the red card and banned from pubs and clubs in a scheme to be introduced across the borough in time for Christmas, it was revealed today. The Three Strikes and You’re Out scheme could see hooligans and drunken revellers banned from licensed premises, forcing them to celebrate the festive season elsewhere. The scheme was launched in Oakengates in June and its success will now see licensing officers roll it out in every area of Telford. Shropshire Star
- Bolton: Police have unveiled their latest weapon in the fight against anti-social behaviour . . . lollipops. Officers hope that handing out lollies to late-night drinkers in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year will have crime licked and will curb drunken clashes at closing time. Police and nightclub doorman will hand out more than 30,000 lollipops. It is hoped the idea will help police and security staff form a positive relationship with partygoers, pacify drunken behaviour and stop rowdiness. The Bolton News
- Pub and clubs in Doncaster are offering free soft drinks to customers who are designated drivers over the Christmas period. The offer is available to groups of four or more at around 40 town centre outlets, which are displaying the special Drinkaware Trust “designated driver” posters and stickers. The driver also gets a personal “I'm Des” sticker, which identifies him or her as the party moves from pub to pub. The scheme is a joint initiative between Doncaster's Best Bar None, Pubwatch, South Yorkshire Police and the Doncaster Free Press. The Publican
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