BREATHALYSERS FOR DRUNKS OUTSIDE PUBS AND CLUBS / LEWISHAM BACKS VOTES AT SIXTEEN / FREE RESIDENTIAL CENTRE FOR HIRE
BREATHALYSERS FOR DRUNKS OUTSIDE PUBS AND CLUBS – No entry for those with high alcohol reading
SIX BREATHALYSERS have been purchased by the Safer Croydon Partnership to help the police crackdown on public disorder and antisocial behaviour in Croydon town centre.
The council, police and Croydon Bid agreed the breathalysers could help to reduce drink-related violence, with clients who are clearly already drunk trying to gain entry to pubs and clubs.
The devices, trialled by police and clubs in Croydon on weekends throughout November, will be in use from this week.
Door staff at bars and clubs will ask people to blow into the device, which works on a traffic light system. Those who have too high an alcohol reading will be refused entry.
Cllr Mark Watson, cabinet member for safety and justice, said: “The trial had positive results, with the police and venues supportive of the plans, which will be a good addition to measures already in place to help to keep the town centre safe.
“We aim to reduce the number of people binge drinking and preloading, which sees them getting drunk on cheap alcohol before going out for the evening.”
Temporary Chief Inspector Peter McGarry added: “During the pilot, venues reported fewer arguments with door staff caused by intoxicated customers attempting to gain entry to their clubs. “They accepted the breathalyser’s results.
“Consequently this has led to a reduction in the potential for alcohol-related disorder taking place inside their premises.”
The devices consist of a cylindrical tube, on which an external switch lights up with the colour red if the breath of an individual who has blown into it is found to contain 80mg or more of alcohol (around 2.5 times the legal limit for driving).
The Met’s Operation Equinox is seeking to roll out a trial of breathalysers in a number of other London boroughs. (Source: Croydon council press release.)
LEWISHAM BACKS VOTES AT SIXTEEN
Lewisham council have backed the campaign to win votes for 16 and 17 year-olds.
The council is to join Votes at 16, a coalition made up of young people, organisations and politicians from across the political spectrum.
Around 1.5 million 16 and 17 year-olds are denied the vote in public elections in the UK yet they can:
pay income tax and National Insurance
become a director of a company
join the armed forces
give full consent to medical treatment
obtain tax credits and welfare benefits in their own right
consent to sexual relationships
get married or enter a civil partnership.
Lewisham Young Mayor Liam Islam said: “I am a supporter of the votes at 16 campaign and it will give young people their right to participate in mainstream politics.
“We know young people are interested in politics; politics affects every single one of us, whether it’s about what happens at school, transport of wider issues in the community. “Young people have a lot to contribute. “Let’s hope we get our say.”
Cllr Joe Dromey, Lewisham’s cabinet member for policy and performance, said: “16 and 17 year olds are knowledgeable and passionate about the world in which they live, and are as capable of engaging in the democratic system as any other citizen.
“People who can consent to medical treatment, be in paid work and pay taxes, get married or enter a civil partnership and join the armed forces should also have the right to vote.”
You can find out more about the Votes at 16 coalition at www.votesat16.org. (Source: Lewisham council press release.)
FREE RESIDENTIAL CENTRE FOR HIRE
Groups in Lewisham who work with disadvantaged children, young people or adults can use a residential centre in Gloucestershire for free.
Noah’s Ark Children’s Venture at Macaroni Wood provides high quality residential accommodation for groups working in the voluntary and statutory sector including youth clubs, schools, colleges, community groups and support groups.
The centre offers a wide range of stimulating and active experiences both indoor and outdoor in a safe and secure woodland environment in the Cotswolds countryside.
A wide range of organisations working with children, young people and adults – including those with disabilities – use the centre from all backgrounds and ages from pre-school to senior citizen.
We part-fund Macaroni Wood and because of this Lewisham-based groups fitting the eligibility criteria can take advantage of free self-catering accommodation in Bazley House.
If you would like to book Bazley House for your group call 01367 850 356 to check availability.
For more information please visit the Macaroni Wood website (Source: Lewisham council press release.)
VOTE TO GIVE WANDLE PARK A £175,000 BOOST
Cyclists and pedestrians who use Wandle Park could benefit from big improvements if they vote for a £175,000 upgrade.
The park is one of seven places across the capital shortlisted for a share of the Mayor of London’s £900,000 Big Green Fund – and Croydon council are urging residents to help make it happen.
If enough people vote for the park, it will get improved lighting, new zebra crossings from West Croydon station and stairs to Jubilee Bridge, plus upgrades to the entrance by Waddon New Road.
Croydon council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, Cllr Kathy Bee, said: “Wandle Park is a real gem in our borough and we’re delighted our project to improve access to it has been shortlisted for the Big Green Fund award.
“Being successful depends on members of the public casting their vote, so we urge people to get behind our bid. If we were to get funding, we would be able to significantly improve access to Wandle Park from the town centre, in particular for cyclists and pedestrians, and make a real contribution to the huge regeneration already under way in Croydon.”
To vote, visit www.london.gov.uk/biggreenpoll by Monday 2nd March. (Source: Croydon council press release.)