Warwickshire News Mine

Primarily a safety education event, ‘Your Town, Your Choice’ will be a chance for services to meet residents, visitors and businesses to find out about, and address any anti-social behaviour and alcohol related issues which may affect them.

‘Your Town, Your Choice’ will offer individuals lots of information to encourage responsible behaviour by promoting respect for the town and other residents whilst advising them of support services on hand if they have any concerns whilst out at night.

Beginning at 8pm in Leamington’s Town Centre and continuing through the night, there will be lots on offer for the community. An advice tent will be set up offering useful literature on responsible drinking, and a fire and rescue Service vehicle and mobile police station will also be present.

Posters and leaflets about ‘Your Town, Your Choice’ are currently available from selected businesses in Leamington, and more information will be available on the night. Pub and club owners in the area have also been informed about the event and reminded of the important role they play in creating the right environment for safe and enjoyable evenings out.

George Stepney, Warwickshire Police Community Intervention Manager said: “Leamington Town Centre Forum helped fund the event and safety and crime prevention items in the form of bottle top caps, flip-flops, water and alcohol test strips will be available from the tent. Community Safety Partners will also carry out a street-audit looking at the environment of the town centre including lighting and street furniture.”

Warwickshire County Councillor, Richard Hobbs Portfolio Holder for Community Protection welcomes the event. He said: “Working together with residents and partners helps us to tackle issues like crime, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and alcohol and drugs misuse at local levels.

“The event will provide the perfect opportunity for people to get an insight in to the fantastic work going on to ensure communities are safe. In addition they offer the chance for residents to find out more about getting involved and helping out.”

Cllr Bernard Kirton, Community Protection Portfolio Holder, Warwick District Council & Chairman of Safer South Warwickshire said: “Everyone has the right to enjoy a night out in Leamington Town Centre but it shouldn’t be at the expense of other users and businesses. We want everyone to be safe and feel safer and the simplest way to do that is to plan your evening, drink safely, stay with and travel home with friends”

In support of the initiative, Inspector Faz Chishty said: “During the night police and partners will actively engage with the public and re-enforce the message to the small minority who cause trouble and behave badly, that their behaviour will not be tolerated in Leamington Town Centre.

“We endeavour to change their mindset, enabling residents and visitors to enjoy a trouble free night out and further protecting communities from harm.

“It is also important to underline to those misbehaving and engaging in violence, that their behaviour could have a long term impact on themselves, possibly resulting in a criminal record and long term health problems.”

Link to WCC