I had right good gigle at reading this from the
GCC website earlier.
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Council Leader announces package of measures to tackle Glasgow's booze cultureA range of tough new measures are being introduced in Glasgow to combat the city’s alcohol problem.
The zero-tolerance approach includes a dedicated police task force to carry out enforcement operations across the city, plainclothes police officers on public transport, child protection referrals to social work and a new multi-agency intelligence group.
Discussions are also taking place on a new community payback scheme as an alternative to prosecution for alcohol-related offences.
The measures, unveiled today by Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, and Strathclyde Police Chief Constable, Stephen House, are among the outcomes of the Joint Action Group on Alcohol.
It was established in June to look at initiatives that could be implemented to tackle problems associated with underage drinking, binge drinking, problematic drinking and noisy or anti-social parties.
Dedicated alcohol task force: Made up of police officers working with the council, Glasgow Community and Safety Services, Glasgow Housing Association and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, this group will draw on the intelligence from the tasking group to carry out enforcement operations across the city.
Multi-agency tasking group: This group will share intelligence about problem premises, retailers or people and ensure that tough measures are taken to address problems.
New community payback scheme: Discussions are taking place with the Procurator Fiscal in order to offer an alternative to Fixed Penalty Notices. This will see those who commit alcohol related offences carrying work in the communities affected by their actions.
A zero tolerance approach towards individuals involved in alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour and rogue or problematic premises which flout the law and which cause crime and nuisance. These can include community off sales, clubs, domestic premises and drinking dens.
Tenancy warnings: Visits to parents to warn them of dangers to their secure tenancies where their children are causing problems.
People involved in alcohol-related anti-social behaviour will get one month to change their
behaviour before strict enforcement begins on October 1 <nearly fell aff ma seat laffin @ that.
along with the phased implementation of the initiatives agreed by the group.
Speaking at a visit to Peterson Park Post Office & General Store in Yoker, which is backing the initiative, Councillor Matheson said: “People who cause booze-fuelled misery in our communities must change their ways and they must be made to pay for their actions.
“The new measures announced today are designed to show we are serious about tackling Glasgow’s drink problem. Ordinary, decent people, including the vast majority of the licensed trade, are fed up with the misery caused by booze and we’re standing up for them.
“People need to take responsibility for their actions, whether it’s parents who have no idea what their children are up to at night, or shopkeepers who sell alcohol to kids, or the people who come into Glasgow at the weekend and make a fool of themselves after binge drinking.
“They’ve all got a month to change their ways, and then we are cracking down.”
Chief Constable House said: “When we sat down to begin our work two months ago, we said that we wanted to find measures that were practical, enforceable and would make a real difference to people in our communities. I believe that we have done just that.
“I have no doubt that the key to lasting change is for all parts of the city to work together to identify problems and to then work together to tackle them. The multi agency group that we have established will allow us to gather every available bit of intelligence on the people who are causing misery so that we can take swift action against them.
“This is not us going to war with the licensed trade. I have said time and time again that the pubs and clubs in this city are, in the main, well run, safe places to go. I am sure that the licensed trade will welcome the measures that we are announcing today. They will recognise that what we are trying to do is work with those who act responsibly and punish those who don’t.”
In addition to the measures outlined above, the group agreed to support and roll out the following initiatives in the weeks ahead:
Chill Out Hour < Partyyyyy
In an effort to address the number of people leaving pubs and clubs at the same time within Glasgow City Centre, we will be working with several premises in Glasgow to introduce a chill out hour. In essence this will result in identified premises being allowed to operate for an additional hour every Friday & Saturday evening (0300-0400hrs).
This extended period will see premises play softer, calming music and sell hot, fast food to their patrons; in addition patrons will only be allowed to purchase soft drinks or be given water during this extended hour. This approach is expected to allow people to become re-hydrated, reduce queues at fast food outlets and taxi stands
SOS Bus The SOS bus will provide first aid and act as a point of reference for any
lost people to meet up. In addition this facility will accommodate individuals who may be in need of
pastoral care; this will be provided by the Street Pastors on duty.In addition, individuals who are found to have consumed too much alcohol and in need to shelter, this bus will act as a temporary accommodation until they are in a position to look after themselves or indeed until someone collects them.
A joint enforcement team will carry out a period of information sharing, training and warnings for the licensed trade in September 2011 before enforcement begins on October 1.