Staysafe Success As Operation Returns To Redditch

Police and partner agencies in Redditch have hailed the latest Staysafe night in the town a success after anti social behaviour hotspots were targeted in an effort to locate youngsters at risk through alcohol or other factors.

The operation was held on Friday evening (18 November) when dedicated police patrols engaged with a number of young people. However none were found to be vulnerable enough to be taken into police protection or managed at a Safe Centre in Oakenshaw where a team of Youth Offending Service staff were on standby.

Redditch Community Safety Partnership was also involved in organising the operation which incorporated a widespread publicity campaign beforehand. Middle and high schools in Redditch were visited and young people warned of the dangers associated with crime, anti social behaviour and alcohol consumption. Leaflets were produced and signs have been placed outside schools in the area highlighting Staysafe.

The pre-publicity was also timed to coincide with the Halloween and bonfire period when the nights are drawing in and incidents of anti social behaviour tend to increase. Staysafe was also discussed at the Local Democracy Day which students attended at Redditch Town Hall last month (October).

Redditch District Inspector Ian Joseph said: "We talked to a number of young people on Friday evening and specifically focused our patrols on identified hotspots for anti social behaviour. Staff at the Safe Centre were prepared to provide any necessary interventions but we found no-one vulnerable enough to warrant taking them into protection. During the evening there were few problems although four youths were taken home to their parents after unwittingly getting caught up in some minor disorder in town.

"Officers and other staff involved in the exercise reported that those people they spoke to were responsive and polite, and none were affected by alcohol which is often our main cause for concern.

"We regarded the evening as a success and I hope this is as a consequence of our publicity campaign in the run up to the operation and our use of Staysafe as a means of addressing issues involving young people. Youth vulnerability through alcohol consumption and their involvement in anti social behaviour and crime remains a priority for us and with Christmas fast approaching we are already planning when to hold our next Staysafe night in Redditch."

Jayne Perkins, deputy team manager for the Youth Offending Service in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, said: Young people in the area had obviously taken heed of the messages being put out and those we spoke to were very respectful and aware of what was going on and why.

"The buy-in at Redditch is brilliant and everyone has been really supportive across the board."

Councillor Juliet Brunner, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety at Redditch Borough Council, added: "The Staysafe initiative is as much about ensuring young people are safe when they are out in public places as preventing anti social behaviour and the effect that has on our communities. A lot of effort went into publicity and raising awareness before we ran this and the fact there were so few problems is a really positive outcome."

Issued: Wednesday, 23 November 2011