p01 cover.qxd - Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Calling time onalcohol-fuelled crime!A campaign has been launched inBasingstoke town centre to crack down onalcohol-fuelled violent crime.The partnership initiative, called OperationDrinksafe, follows a successful campaign ofthe same name that was run in Portsmouthtwo years ago. By working closely with thecouncil, Festival Place, licensees and otherpartners, the campaign aims to reduceincidents of violent crime and disorder thathappen when people are on a night out inthe town centre and reduce excessive andirresponsible alcohol consumption.Basingstoke and Deane DistrictCommander, Chief Inspector AndyBottomley, said: "We've been verysuccessful in reducing crime in the boroughover the last year but have not seen achange in violence offences. Our analysisshows us that a third of violence offencesoccur outside licensed premises and that inalmost two thirds of all incidents, offendersare affected by either alcohol or drugs. Themajority of these offenders are men agedbetween 18 and 21."Operation Drinksafe aims to tackle thisthrough tough, intensive and ongoing policeoperations as well as education of regulardrinkers to change people’s attitudestowards excessive drinking habits in thetown. This is a significant campaign andwe'll be using a whole raft of differenttactics to make the night timeentertainment areas safe and welcoming forthose who want to enjoy themselvesresponsibly, while making the environmenthostile to drunks and trouble makers."Shoppingwith bells on!To help ensure that your ChristmasShopping is not more stressful than itneeds to be the Community SafetyPartnership would like to provide somesimple crime prevention advice:• Don't make your car or your presentsa target - never leave items on display.• Always try to use Park Mark Safe carparks.• If a cash machine looks like it hasbeen tampered with don't use itand report it to the bank.• Keep your handbag zipped andnever leave it unattended.Anti-pickpocket bells for yourhandbag are available by contactingthe Community Safety Team on01256 844 844 or emailingcommunity.safety@basingstoke.gov.ukDon’t let safety go up in smokeWhen decorating your house for Christmasthink safety first, that’s the message fromHampshire Fire and Rescue Service.Tree lights get used far less than regularlights so take extra care. Check the fusesare the right type for the lights, replaceblown bulbs, don’t overload sockets anddon’t go to sleep or go out with decorativelights still on.Candles are great fun and look lovely buttheir rise in popularity has increased the riskof fire in the home. Simple measures toavoid this are often overlooked. Don’t leavea room with a candle burning, avoid lightingoutdoor candles indoors. Give the candle asolid base so it can’t be knocked overeasily and of course don’t let your kids orpets play with them.The fire service would also like you to buyyour family an extra special gift this year – asmoke alarm. These life-saving devicesshould go in every room, except for thekitchen and the bathroom. The minimumshould be one smoke alarm on each floorlevel. For more information seewww.hantsfire.gov.ukFor more information about community safetysee www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/comsafety.Not at home to burglarsGoing away to be with friends and relatives for Christmas? If so,then don’t invite the criminals around. Nearly half of all burglarieshappen when the homeowner’s not in, so do everything you canto discourage thieves when you’re not there.Don’t leave presents near a window or under the tree if you canavoid it; you don’t want a ‘shop’ display. Try to keep blinds andcurtains closed, consider buying light timers and keep your housesecure.Basingstoke & Deane Today 23