Drinkaware Club Hosts pilot launches in Plymouth

Mary
Authored by Mary
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - 07:20

Alcohol education charity Drinkaware has launched a pilot initiative in two Plymouth venues aimed at helping to keep young people safe on their night out.

The charity has joined forces with Devon and Cornwall Police, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Tony Hogg and Safer Plymouth to launch a six month pilot of Drinkaware Club Hosts at Popworld nightclub and University of Plymouth Students’ Union.

Drinkaware Club Hosts are specially trained staff who work in bars and clubs to reduce drunken anti-social behaviour and help keep people safe.

Working in pairs, the club hosts will have a presence in the venue throughout the night, talking to customers at the start of the evening when a queue is forming, supporting customers who are vulnerable due to alcohol and ensuring guests leave safely after the venue has closed.

Drinkaware is working with other partners across Devon, Cornwall and Gloucestershire to test and evaluate the intervention in venues in Torquay, Truro, Exeter and Cheltenham. Findings will be used to inform an on-going roll-out of the Drinkaware Club Host programme in other parts of the country.

This follows a pilot carried out in Nottingham in 2014 as part of Drinkaware’s Drunken Nights Out campaign, developed to reduce alcohol related harm in the night time economy.

Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says: “Following a successful pilot in Nottinghamshire last year we are delighted to be launching Drinkaware Club Hosts in the South West of England in collaboration with police and community partnerships across the region.

“We are encouraged by the findings from our initial pilot, that indicated that this initiative can help to reduce the number of young adults experiencing drunken sexual harassment and other negative experiences on a night out. If behaviour isn’t acceptable sober, it isn’t acceptable drunk.”

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Devon and Cornwall, Tony Hogg says: “Tackling alcohol related harm and crime is one of my top priorities in my police and crime plan. This is an important new pilot to help people made vulnerable through alcohol and safeguard them within venues. It will complement and work alongside existing support structures in the night time economy and help keep people safe on their night out.

“I am delighted at the level of engagement and support we have had from local partners. We have been working closely with local authorities, street pastors and the venues to put this pilot together.”

Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health for Plymouth City Council, Councillor Sue McDonald says: "We welcome any initiative aimed at tackling problem drinking in the city. As public health leads for Plymouth we work with partners in police, health and the voluntary sector on the Strategic Alcohol Plan for Plymouth.

"We also recognise that excessive drinking is one of the four lifestyle behaviours - alongside smoking, inactivity and poor diet - that, together account for 54% of deaths in the city. That is why as a city we have launched our Thrive Plymouth framework for improving health & reducing inequalities."

Plymouth Local Policing and Partnership Chief Inspector Cath Farrin says: “Those involved in Plymouth’s evening and night time economy are excited to be part of the Drinkaware Club Host scheme.  The strong partnership working in Plymouth has encouraged robust activity to ensure people are able to enjoy their night out without feeling vulnerable. The club hosts working inside venues will join the newly appointed night time ambassadors and the street pastors who already work in Plymouth to keep people safe.”

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