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Drink-related crime in Blyth Valley falls after campaign
A THREE-MONTH operation to tackle alcohol-related problems in Blyth Valley led to a large fall in crime, Northumbria Police has revealed.
The area was given 30,000 government funding for the 12-week campaign to tackle drink-related crime and disorder, reduce under-age sales, confiscate booze from under 18s and carry out alcohol enforcement work.
And over the course of the initiative, overall crime was down 20 per cent compared to the same period last year – with 209 less victims of crime.
Anti-social behaviour was down 16.7 per cent over the same period.
More than 500 litres of alcohol was seized and poured down the drain while more than 30 arrests were made for alcohol linked disorder.
Two premises are being taken to court for alcohol licence breaches and 35 parents were contacted and asked to collect their children after they were caught with drink.
Police officers worked closely with partner organisations, giving licensees two-way radios to stay in touch while some premises introduced polycarbonate drinking containers to replace traditional glasses.
Neighbourhood Inspector David Felton, who co-ordinated the campaign, said: "This was an excellent opportunity to continue our policing pledge and respond to the views and opinions of the local community.
"These results show that only a very small minority of individuals are responsible for alcohol-related incidents and crime.
"There were also more than 200 fewer victims, which is good news for everyone.
"We know anti-social behaviour is a concern in our neighbourhoods – that is why we focused our efforts on tackling it and had 379 less calls about it during the past three months, compared to the same time last year.
"This couldn't have happened without the help we were given by the public and our partners, but we are not complacent and will be building on the work we've already done to keep driving down alcohol related crime and disorder."
Superintendent Mick Pearson added: "This has been a successful campaign with police and partners working closely together in the community, taking positive action against the minority who behave in an anti-social behaviour which is often linked to alcohol.
"Our aim is to build on this excellent performance throughout the year, listening to community concerns and taking positive action to improve public confidence."
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Weather for Blyth
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
