Violence accounts for 20% of all crime nationally. South Gloucestershire has a lower rate of 18%.
In South Gloucestershire most violence (52%) is in the lower offending catagories of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH). There is a proven correlation between violence, alcohol consumption and the evening and night time economy. In South Gloucestershire most violent crime happens in the town centres on Friday and Saturday evenings.
As a consequence, South Gloucestershire Council works in close partnership with the police and other agencies to target violent crime in these areas. The actions we have taken include: Increased uniformed patrols; multi-agency visits to licensed premises and operations to address underage sales of alcohol to young people. South Gloucestershire Council have also employed taxi and street marshals to assist night time revellers to safely leave town centres in the evenings.
South Gloucestershire Licensing Enforcement Group:
The South Gloucestershire licensing enforcement group was established in 2010; a group that consists of all statutory and associated partners who have an interest in licensed premises, its staff and the public who are affected by the licensing trade. The group is chaired by the local Police Chief Inspector or Head of Trading Standards and Licensing. They meet bi-monthly and based on current multi agency partnership information or incidents they consider an appropriate and propertionate response. There is a tiered approach involving all agencies that offer support, as well as enforcement responses to matters as they arise. The team has also provided training to all partner agencies, has recently started bi-monthly meetings with the licensing trade and are shortly to publish a local licensing guide to ensure everyone involved in the licensing trade knows their roles and responsibilities. It is hoped that this approach will not only reduce crime but also the fear of crime locally.