A new initiative has been launched to make Hartlepool’s town centre even safer for visitors and employees of pubs, clubs, restaurants and takeaways.
The Hartlepool Community Safety Team has received £31,000 to fund a number of measures aimed at tackling crime in the night-time economy.
Money has come from CURV, Cleveland’s violence reduction partnership. CURV is chaired by Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner.
Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: “I am very pleased that we have been awarded this funding.
“I would like to thank PCC Steve Turner for supporting our efforts to make Hartlepool an even safer place to live, work and visit.
“We want to ensure that a night out in Hartlepool continues to be a pleasant and enjoyable experience.
“We don’t have a major problem with crime in the night-time economy in Hartlepool. However, this initiative is all about us being proactive to ensure that remains the case.”
Extra safety measures
Measures funded include glass covers/bottle stoppers to prevent drink spiking and drink spiking test strips. In addition, the grant paid for hand-held metal detector wands for use by door staff, first aid equipment and extra safeguarding training for licensed premises staff. There will be additional support for the Hartlepool CCTV control room.
The initiative runs until March next year. Hartlepool Community Safety Team which comprises staff from Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade, will work closely with the Hartlepool Licensee Association and the Hartlepool Town Pastors. Volunteers run the pastors’ charity. It operates weekend, evening and night-time patrols to ensure revellers get home safely.
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “Hartlepool has some of the most effective partnership working in Cleveland.
“I’m delighted that agencies are joining forces to improve safety in the town centre at night. Hartlepool is a great night out and we want to make sure it stays that way
“It was an impressive proposal. I’m keen to use learning from this project to inform how we make the night-time economy safer across Cleveland.”