From 18 December 2014 there will be a greater police presence as well as an increased presence of Safer Communities Wardens, parking attendants, street pastors, and taxi marshalls in Perth City Centre.
The move is part of a Community Safety Partnership initiative to ensure members of the public visiting the city centre over the festive season feel safe, can access help if they need it and get home safely and easily.
The Partnership has, for a number of years, put in place additional measures to enhance the city centre at Christmas and New Year when there are more people out and about than usual. This year, for the first time, the extended Team will be working with Giraffe, the area’s first community interest company, to provide a multi-agency, night-time ‘base’ at its Mill Street Café. Using the cafe as a base is a new idea prompted largely by the premises’ central location.
James Alexander from Giraffe said: “Our café is right in the centre of the town close to the pubs, clubs and restaurants. When the Team asked if I could help by providing facilities for the taxi marshalls I was happy to help and I am delighted that the police and wardens will be able to use it too. We will have a look at how things have gone after the festive period and see if there is the possibility of further opportunities to work together in the future.”
Convener of Perth & Kinross Council’s Community Safety Committee, Councillor Douglas Pover said:
“We want to make sure that everyone enjoys themselves and stays safe over the festive season. Working closely with the police and other agencies, our Safer Communities Wardens and the Parking Attendants will be conducting frequent high visibility patrols. Perth is a vibrant city especially during our Winter Festival and many people will be heading into the city centre for Christmas nights out as well as for their Christmas shopping.
“I would urge revellers to act responsibly and shoppers to keep a close eye on their new purchases. Busy areas within the city centre will be targeted by dedicated police patrols to deter criminal activity and to address any issues that arise. The main aim of the Community Safety Partnership’s new approach is, as always, to protect and maintain Perth City Centre’s reputation as a safe place to visit.”
Superintendent Roddy Irvine who leads on Operational Policing for the Tayside area said: “A big part of local policing at this time of the year is about making sure that local people are confident about going out in the City Centre and knowing that there are people who will look out for them.
“We hope that the full range of police powers won’t be required at any stage during this festive season and that our time will be spent working with people on the streets of Perth to make sure they have a good Christmas and New Year and can get home safely.
“Our on-duty officers will appreciate having the use of Giraffe’s café to make a warming cup of coffee during the night and it will be an excellent venue to talk to and support the other agencies.”
