Anti-drink project huge success

WARRINGTON’S Arcangel anti-alcohol project is being hailed as a huge success.
Town Hall bosses say it has cut crime, anti-social behaviour and, above all, serious violence and made the town centre feel far safer at night.
In the three years since the project was launched by the borough council, police and other partners, significant improvements have been achieved in the town centre.
Total crime is down by 12.3 per cent and vital crime by 15.7 per cent.
Serious violence has been slashed by a staggering 25.8 per cent.
Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour has been reduced by 7.3 per cent, although officers believe the decrease is actually much more when the impact of 800 Section 27 notices issued by police are taken into account.
These notice allow police to remove people causing anti-social behaviour from the town centre.
During the three year period, conditions have been imposed at 13 licensed premises
Cheshire Police have set up the Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing Unit, training has been given to club door staff, taxi marshals have been introduced and Lower Bridge Street has been closed at night
Warrington’s MPs visit the town centre at night to see police operations for themselves and this led to national government changed its stance on alcohol sales in a similar way to that adopted in Warrington.
As a result of the project’s success, it is now being formally closed and its task group disbanded. But the measures it introduced will continue and the situation will continue to be monitored.