Lollipops do the job (From Witney Gazette)

Lollipops do the job

12:35pm Monday 19th February 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

POLICE have revealed their latest successful weapon in the fight against crime - the lollipop.

The sugary treats were handed out to drinkers in Witney town centre over the festive season, in an attempt to tackle drunken violence. And figures released last week show they worked - with the number of assaults falling by 75 per cent. The overall level of alcohol-related crime fell by ten per cent.

The West Oxfordshire Community Safety Partnership, which distributed the lollies, wants to expand the scheme to other towns, and will discuss plans to repeat the scheme in Witney.

As reported in the Gazette, a total of 10,000 lollipops, which featured the Nightsafe logo, were issued to pubs and nightclubs in the town during the two weeks before Christmas.

The scheme follows research showing sugar helps to stabilise the behaviour of those who have consumed alcohol, which, in turn, reduces the chance of disorder and crime in public places following excessive drinking.

The lollies, which cost 10p each, were paid for by West Oxfordshire Community Safety Partnership.

Chief Inspector Dennis Evernden, West Oxfordshire's police chief, said: "The lollipops appear to have been successful on this occasion in helping to reduce alcohol-fuelled disorder, which is good news.

"Compared to the same period in 2005, the figures for assaults, drunk and disorderly, and public order incidents fell by ten per cent. With this in mind, we are considering rolling out the initiative to other town centres across the district."

West Oxfordshire Community Safety Partnership spokesman, Danielle Hanton, said: "The response was good. Drinkers were more amused than anything, and the lollipops had the desired effect.

"They keep people's mind off starting fights, as they are too busy laughing. They are also effective from a noise perspective. With a lolly in your mouth, you can't talk - or shout."

She said Chipping Norton drinkers could be the next to get a late night sugar fix, with plans to distribute the lollipops to pubs and bars in the town.

Luke Massingham, manager at The Chequers Inn, in Corn Street, Witney, said: "Most people laughed when they were told why the lollipops were being handed out. But everyone liked them, and kept coming back for more - and if you're sucking a lollipop, you can't throw a punch!"