Chelmsford successful in bid to tackle alcohol misuse
The Safer Chelmsford Partnership is delighted to announce it is one of only ten community safety partnerships nationwide to be successful in obtaining full funding from the government to tackle the harm caused by alcohol misuse in the community.
The partnership will receive £90,000 over a two year period to deliver education, interventions and enforcement in an attempt to reduce alcohol related anti-social behaviour and violence, and reduce the consumption of alcohol by young people to safe levels.
Chelmsford is a very safe place to live, but like many cities and towns across the country it suffers from alcohol related disorder and disturbance. Up to 15,000 people are attracted to the safe and vibrant night life on a Friday or Saturday night which on occasions can be spoilt by a minority who become intoxicated and commit violent crimes and criminal damage.
The partnership already has a wide range of interventions in place to target such behaviour such as CCTV, Street Pastors, Taxi Marshals, Publink radio and a Designated Public Place Order. In addition to this a new scheme to share data with Broomfield Hospital A&E Department commencing on 1 June 2012 will help partners target hotspots by analysing alcohol related hospital admissions. Chelmsford Council's Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Councillor Ian Grundy, commented: "The success of this funding bid is excellent news for the people of Chelmsford. We have a proven track record of delivery and still remain the UK's first and only designated Safe Community with the World Health Organisation." He added: "The funding will be spent on employing a specialist alcohol outreach worker who will deliver a wide range of education and interventions, which includes having access to police custody and arrest referral. The role will also tackle the issue of street drinking which is a concern to residents and retailers. We will also use some of the funds to commission educational programmes which will directly involve young people in recognising and addressing this growing problem."