by Ewan Turney
Licensees in Stockton-on-Tees and Yarm in Cleveland are being asked to stump-up cash to fund extra police to combat anti-social behaviour in an initiative believed to be the largest of its kind in Britain.
Over 20 late-night premises, including pubs, clubs and food outlets, are participating in the six-month trial known as, "Operation Tranquility".
The operation will provide an additional sergeant and four officers on the streets of Stockton from 10pm to 3am on Friday and Saturday nights and from 10pm to 1am on Sundays. Nearby Yarm will also have two extra officers in both the town centre and Tall Trees nightclub. Police estimate 6,600 people leave Stockton town centre around 2am on weekends.
Licensees are being asked to pay 50% of the costs, with police matching the contribution. It is understood the bigger venues on the high street are being asked to pay around £240 a week with other venues paying less, depending on size and opening hours.
"The benefit to licensees and food takeaways who have signed up to Tranquility, means the venue has direct telephone access to a police officer to assist with any nuisance behaviour, drunkeness, and violence immediately without channelling the call through the police control room," said chief inspector Mick Williams. "The officers will make regular visits to the premises, building relationships with staff and reinforcing the message to the public that the police are working with the clubs, pubs and takeaways to reduce anti-social behaviour."
Paul Kinsey, managing director of Nexum Leisure, which owns Zanzibar nightclub in the high street, said the company were "quite happy" to co-operate with the police to see if the initiative works. "It is a practical solution to the initial problem," he said. "But it is not a benchmark for our estate and I still believe that we pay sufficient business rates to entitle us to a certain level of support. In reality, the police don't have enough money to put "Bobbies" on the beat, but this is a short-term measure and not a long-term policy."
Police said the operation had gone "very well" over the first weekend. Three drink-related arrests were made.