Information from external agencies for those working in the evening and night-time economy.
Lift Legend
Drink and drug driving is one of the ‘fatal five’ causes of serious injuries and deaths on the regions’ roads. Between 1 October 2022 and 15 January 2023, Devon & Cornwall Police arrested 952 people who were driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
During December, Devon and Cornwall police will be running a campaign called ‘Lift Legend’ which looks to reduce the number of drink drivers, by raising awareness of the risks involved and encouraging party-goers to plan ahead by nominating a designated driver ahead of a night out. In return for staying sober to keep their friends safe, the scheme will offer the ‘Lift Legend’ a free soft drink at a one of many licenced premises that sign up.
To qualify, the designated driver will need to purchase a soft drink from the bar and identify themselves as the Lift Legend; the server will then issue the driver with a voucher that entitles them to their second soft drink for free (supplied by the participating bar).
During the month-long campaign, officers will be working hard to raise awareness of the dangers involved with drink driving, and policing teams will be carrying out intelligence-led checks and taking appropriate action. The scheme is an exciting opportunity for all licenced premises to come together to make a difference and help to reduce people killed or seriously injured on our roads due to drink driving. We’re looking for pubs, clubs and bars to support ‘Lift Legend’ by pledging to offer a free soft drink with every soft drink purchase. This acts as an incentive to reward designated drivers for keeping their friends safe and helps to drive down the number of drink drivers on our roads.
Last year, over 90 licensed premises across Devon and Cornwall supported the ‘Lift Legend’ campaign, and we’d be very grateful for licensed premises support again this year. When you sign up, you’ll receive a series of promotional materials such as beer mats, branded bar runners and posters; your business will be featured as part of a list of participating venues on our social media channels (both corporate and localised accounts, where we have a total of almost 500,000 followers) and promoted on a designated ‘Lift Legend’ webpage, which we’re currently putting together. We’re also planning to create a promotional video for the campaign and would welcome volunteers from any participating venues who’d like to use this opportunity to promote themselves and publicly support our drink driving campaign.
To register your interest or request further information, please contact Police Constable Karen Goode via email: karen.goode@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Operation Tinsel
Devon & Cornwall Police Licensing Department would ask that any licensed premises and their staff take this opportunity to review your security arrangements ahead of the Christmas period to ensure that you have made adequate provisions for the increased footfall and potentially different client group that may be attracted to your venue.
All staff should be briefed to have increased vigilance and awareness for the potential for disorder. The police advise that any incidents of disorder should be reported early and dealt with robustly so as to avoid any likelihood of escalation.
The police would recommend that you consider the provision of door staff for key trading periods, in particular Friday 22 December and where appropriate to provide drinks in polycarbonate or non-glass drinking vessels.
We would also like to take this opportunity to ask you to monitor the alcohol consumption of your customers closely and that all empty bottles and glasses are cleared away promptly.
There will be additional Police Patrols during the Christmas period across the force area to support you and your staff in minimising any potential for increased alcohol related crime, disorder, or antisocial behaviour.
The Devon and Cornwall Constabulary hope that you enjoy a safe and prosperous festive period and would be grateful for your support and cooperation in this matter.
Pubwatch
The Next meeting For Plymouth Pubwatch will be held at 2pm on Tuesday 21 November 2023 at the Pryzm, Plymouth.
Unfortunately, over the past months, many of the premises have been unrepresented, if you are a member premises could you please make every effort to attend.
It is the commitment to work together that is the strength of Pubwatch members ensuring that they send a powerful message to problem individuals and the wider public.
Pubwatch has a significant impact on crime and anti-social behaviour in and around licensed premises, making it a useful tool for licensees.
If you are unable to attend, please send a suitable representative or send your apologies to the Chairperson. Due to the sometimes delicate matters discussed and to ensure confidentiality, a representative should ideally be a personal licence holder, Designated Premises Supervisor or Club Chairperson or Secretary.
We look forward to meeting you on Tuesday 21 November 2023.
If you would like to sign up to become Pubwatch member visit National Pubwatch.
Devon and Cornwall Police
Devon and Cornwall Police are running a project to make public spaces within the evening and night-time economy safer for women and girls. The project will target male perpetrators and deter crime. To help achieve this, reporting all suspicious behaviour is key.
They are requesting that those working in the evening and night-time economy are aware of the types of behaviour. Devon and Cornwall police would like you to report if you hear about it, see it or someone is telling you about it.
Could you please take action according to your management guidance, business/safeguarding policy and instructions - this might include dialling 999 and alerting police who may be on patrol nearby.
Once you have taken action, please also report it using the Community Partnership Intel form
- males loitering without reason and / or persistently returning to an area after being asked to leave
- males persistently making unwanted contact towards females
- males blocking females from leaving a space, venue, event, or area
- males making lewd comments or unwanted sexual advances towards females
- males trying to isolate females and / or taking them away by physically pulling or pushing
- following / stalking behaviour
- particular concerns over behaviour of employees in the night-time economy who may have gained employment to deliberately target females
- vehicles loitering without reasons or circulating the evening and night-time economy or main routes out
- instances on social media discussing or highlighting the above experiences which appear not to have been reported to police
Fill in the Community Partnership Intel form and make reports, with as much detail as possible including:
- times
- descriptions
- locations
- vehicle registration details
Let us know if there is any CCTV coverage.
You can also report the above behaviours anonymously through Crimestoppers. Phone 0800 555 111.
Encourage members of the public to use the StreetSafe app. This is a service for anyone to anonymously tell us about public places where they have felt unsafe, because of environmental issues, for example street lighting and abandoned buildings, or because of some behaviours, for example being followed or verbally abused.
StreetSafe is not for reporting crime or incidents.
The Devon and Cornwall Police website has more details.