Drunken Assaults Down in Run-up to Christmas

12.00.00am GMT Thu 26th Jan 2006

Police and council officers worked together in the run-up to Christmas and into the New Year to cut down on alcohol-related incidents in Milton Keynes.

The campaign worked; the latest figures (up to Christmas Eve) show that assaults were down 16 per cent compared to the year before

"Operation Hangover" was part of a safer streets campaign, aiming to tackle alcohol-related incidents, robberies and firearms incidents. Police and Milton Keynes Council officers focused on licensed premises which allowed a minority of drunken and disorderly people to ruin a night out for others, as well as on the offenders themselves.

During a two-month period police and officers from the Council's Environmental Health and Trading Standards units carried out on-the-spot checks and targeted visits to more than 267 premises. The officers were looking into underage sales of alcohol, crime, drugs on the premises, and whether venues were keeping to their licensing hours.

Officers identified cases of underage drinking, fire exits unable to be opened and exceeding legal limits on numbers of people in premises. More than 300 pieces of intelligence were received by the police's licensing team, which may be used to deal with venues not complying with their licenses.

Phil Winsor, Chief Environmental Health Officer said: "Operation Hangover has been a demonstration of excellent partnership working and has proved worthwhile in helping to drive up standards and improve public safety. Most licensees are taking a responsible approach to managing their premises, though there is still room for improvement."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Douglas McCall, cabinet member responsible for the environment and localities, added: "These visits have demonstrated the need for proactive enforcement. They have also sent a strong message to the licensed trade that Milton Keynes will not tolerate irresponsible behaviour from licensees. Milton Keynes Council will continue to work closely with the police to ensure Milton Keynes remains a safe place to live, work and socialise."