T-Shirts help bring awareness to campaign.
OFFICERS based in Cardiff City Centre joined forces with bars and clubs to promote sensible drinking this Christmas as part of the Enough is Enough campaign.
Pc Karen McNeil pictured with
Gemma from Varsity Bar, Greyfriars Road
- click to enlarge.
Pc Karen McNeil from the neighbourhood policing team came up with the idea in order to keep people alert and aware of the possibility that their property is at risk if left unattended.
She worked in partnership with the Local Authority Licencing Dept, Hackney Carriages, Cardiff Bus, and the Licenced Premises, through the Licencees Forum, throughout the operation.
Pc McNeil, said: “Following on from the recent ‘Not in my Neighbourhood’ initiative, a crime analysis was conducted by myself, and it was established that there was a high level of thefts occurring, on licenced premises, involving the thefts of handbags and mobile phones, left unattended. Many of these occur on Friday and Saturday nights, into the early hours.
“It was felt that this was likely to increase given that with the Christmas Period approaching, there would be more visitors to the city, and more socializing occurring on licenced premises.
“The operation also targeted other violent crimes and robberies, which again would increase if the level of irresponsible drinking was to continue to increase, unchecked. People at their most vulnerable are easier targets for the violent criminal.
“The operation coincided with the ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.”
Local NPT officers endorsed the message further, while conducting hi-visibility patrols in the street as well as approaching members of the public travelling to the location using public transport, Cardiff Bus and taxis, at the nearby taxi ranks, and raising awareness amongst the taxi drivers also.
Leaflets were also distributed where appropriate, again to highlight these issues. The aim of operation was to reassure the public, reduce the number of thefts and violent crimes in and around the city centre area, to raise awareness about sensible drinking, provide a safer environment, encouraging more vigilance and also increase the detection rates in relation to any crimes which do occur.