New weapon to fight town centre crime (From Witney Gazette)

New weapon to fight town centre crime

9:00am Wednesday 11th October 2006 in Witney By Jo Duckles

A NEW DVD is the latest weapon in the battle against the drink and drug-related violence and criminal damage, which makes up 40 per cent of West Oxfordshire's crime.

That 40 per cent is usually committed by binge drinkers, aged under 25, according to the area's police commander, Chief Insp Dennis Evernden.

The new film, Wasted Nights, includes CCTV footage of late night drunken brawls in Witney, in a bid to show youths how a night out can spiral out of control and end in violence.

It is the latest in a series of attempts to stop troublemakers in the area, as part of the Nightsafe partnership between police and local councils.

In August, the Witney Gazette reported on a Nightsafe radio system, linking pubs directly with police and CCTV cameras in Witney, to help cut alcohol related crime.

In May, letters were sent to more than 130 Witney people arrested for criminal damage or violence in the last year, warning them to behave during the World Cup.

"A one-off drunken binge could stop you travelling. America won't let anyone in who has a conviction. That one act of stupidity could ruin your life."

Chief Insp Dennis Evernden

Police, ambulance crews, an offender, residents, a door supervisor, and taxi drivers are featured in the DVD, which was launched yesterday at Carterton Community College.

Chief Insp Evernden said: "We also want to get the message across about how vulnerable young people are when they are under the influence of drink or drugs.

"That antisocial behaviour accounts for 40 per cent of all our crime, and the majority of it is committed by people who are under 25, and under the influence of alcohol.

"We don't get repeat offenders for criminal damage, which indicates it is a one-off offence, which sometimes results in them vandalising four, five or six cars, for example.

"Young people leave themselves so vulnerable to other things when they are drunk."

"This DVD is about getting the message across to people in their own environment about the dangers and the issues.

"A one-off drunken binge could stop you travelling. America won't let anyone in who has a conviction. That one act of stupidity could ruin your life."

West Oxfordshire District Council's head of community safety, Bill Oddy, said: "The DVD aims to highlight the dangers of 'binge drinking' to young people, who may or will soon be consuming alcohol in licensed premises.

"It offers them the opportunity to see the different people and agencies that are affected by those who don't drink responsibly, and will leave them better informed about the wider consequences of drinking excessively."

The DVD was produced by the West Oxfordshire Community Safety Partnership, as part of its Nightsafe scheme.

It will be distributed to all schools across West Oxfordshire, along with a special lesson pack, to be used during their citizenship classes.