Nightsafe is a project which began in 2001 to reduce the amount of alcohol related violence in the town centre.

Nightsafe main aim is to reduce alcohol related disorder by 10% on current figures by 2008.

The Nightsafe project has three main messages that fit into fulfilling the targets and enabling people to have a good night out. They are:

These messages were chosen as alcohol related violence is more likely to occur when people have too much alcohol, seperate from their friends and go off alone, and when no provisions are made to get home safely.

Overall Aim

The overall aim of the Scheme is:

"To maintain licensed premises within as safe and enjoyable venues for customers and staff alike"

Objectives

To prevent within the boundaries of the Scheme

• Violence (or the threat of violence)

• Vandalism

• The dealing in and taking of illegal drugs

• Drunkenness and anti-social behaviour

• Underage drinking

Measures

• Identify those people who present a risk to staff and customers of licensed premises through their history

of anti-social or criminal behaviour.

• Strictly enforce the exclusion list as agreed by Scheme members.

• Exchange freely information of relevance to the Scheme to Scheme members and the Police.

• Treat with the strictest of confidence any information exchanged within the remit of the Scheme.

• Contact other Scheme members to inform them in advance of any potential unruly and problem customers.

• Employ only SIA registered door supervisors.

• Brief all staff members and relief staff alike of the provisions of the Scheme.

• Work in partnership with the Police and Local Authority to achieve the objectives of the Scheme.

• Support all other members of the Scheme.

Membership

• Membership of the Scheme shall be open to any licensed premises within Norfolk .

• Attendance at meetings may be by licensee / owner / manager / partner or responsible

member of staff.

• Membership of the scheme will also include the Local Authority in an advisory role.

• The Norfolk Constabulary is not a member of the Scheme. The Constabulary has agreed to

work with the Scheme for crime prevention purposes; however will exercise no vote. The

police will take no part in any decision making process regarding the banning of persons

from Scheme members’ premises.

Meetings

• Meetings will be held frequently during the course of the year, but on at least four occasions,

with the autumn meeting being the AGM.

• Minutes will be taken of all meetings, copies of which will be circulated to members along

with any other relevant information.

• Extraordinary meetings may be called at the request of 3 Scheme members.

• Attendance at meetings is vital to the successful operation of the Scheme. Each member (or

their representative) shall therefore attend an absolute minimum of 4 meetings per year and

should include the AGM.

• Subscriptions will be payable annually at a rate set at the Annual General Meeting

Disciplinary Action

• Any member knowingly contravening a provision of the Scheme or acting in a manner

which is detrimental to the Scheme may be expelled, subject to a majority decision by the

remaining Scheme members.

• In the event of any such disciplinary action the member concerned shall have 14 days in

which to lodge an appeal. Any member excluded will be suspended pending the hearing of

any appeal.

Exclusions

• Any person "excluded" under the provisions of the Scheme shall be barred from entering the

premises of any other Scheme member during the normal opening hour of that premise,

without exception.

Criteria for exclusion

• An act of violence to any person

• Any threat of violence or act of intimidation towards any licensee or staff member.

• Damage or threat of damage to property belonging to the licensee or staff.

• Any act of vandalism or anti-social behaviour.

• Any use, possession or distribution of illegal drugs.

• Theft of property belonging to any person from within a members premises and commits or

threatens an act of violence to any person, is verbally abusive or in possession of a weapon.

• Possession of any weapon.

• Any act of racism.

• Purchasing of alcohol for a person subject of exclusion.

• Membership of, or close association with any criminal gang or group, or any other person

already excluded under the provisions of the Scheme.

• Members are reminded that in addition to the above they have as licensees the power under

the Licensing Act to exclude any person they wish from their own premises.

• Members shall be able to issue Exclusion Orders immediately without having to consult

with other members.

• When a person is excluded they will be handed an Exclusion Order that explains how they

can appeal against the order in writing. It will also direct them to an online list of premises

they are excluded from.

• Individuals subject to exclusion will be given an opportunity to appeal against their

exclusion. Written representations outlining the grounds for their appeal must be forwarded

to the Review Panel.

• The Review Panel will discuss the excluded person’s representations and vote on that

persons continued exclusion or removal of his/her name from the exclusion list. Removal of

an excluded persons details will require the agreement of two-thirds of the Review Panel.