7th December 2007, 07/432
Campaign to tackle alcohol-related crime
Alcohol related crimes are to be the focus of a new awareness
initiative in West Lancashire.
With frightening statistics showing that half of all violent crimes
and a third of domestic violence incidents are linked to alcohol,
West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) is tackling
these issues with the launch of a new campaign.
The partnership has helped to fund the production of a new
business-type information cards with important messages about
alcohol, drugs, domestic violence as well as helpline numbers for
victims and perpetrators. It has been designed in such a way so
that it can be hidden discreetly.
Over the next few weeks the information cards will be distributed
via the West Lancashire Domestic Violence Forum and through the
Police Community Support Officers to ensure the messages get
across.
It is also being launched to complement Lancashire Constabulary's
campaign, Operation Sheppard, a crime reduction and community
reassurance initiative to tackle and prevent alcohol-related crime
and anti social behaviour from now until 6th January.
Cllr David Westley, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said:
"Alcohol is by no means an excuse for domestic violence but
research shows that there are links between alcohol and violence,
especially when it is coming up to Christmas. Therefore, we want to
do as much as possible to raise awareness and tackle these issues
during this peak period. The cards are a great way of getting
information to the most vulnerable in a discreet way."
The cards will also be made available through the Public Protection
Unit so that if anybody reports an incident of domestic abuse they
will automatically be sent this in with an information pack.
Bill Taylor, Chairman of the WLCSP, said: "The safety of our
residents is paramount to us and we will do all that we can to
protect others from violent crime and domestic violence as well
alcohol related incidents. I'm delighted that we have been able to
fund this initiative which helps us to get out several messages at
once about some of our biggest priorities that we are trying to
address."
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