Christmas revellers are being reminded to have a safe night out over the festive period.
Police officers and Community Safety Wardens are increasing their patrols will be reminding revellers visiting local pubs and clubs of the consequences of being caught acting anti-socially or taking part in criminal activity.
St John’s Ambulance and Street Pastors will also help to ensure partygoers have a safe and enjoyable time.
A triage service will be available in Blackwood and Caerphilly town centres on the following dates:
Blackwood: Friday December 23, Saturday December 24, Monday December 26 (6pm to 2am)
Caerphilly: Friday December 23, Saturday December 24, Monday December 26 (6pm to 2am) and Saturday December 31 (8pm to 3am).
This is the fourth year that the medical centre has been run in the borough to provide emergency treatment to local revellers, so that Accident and Emergency departments at hospitals receive fewer people at their busiest times.
Town Safe will be operating in Caerphilly, Bargoed, Blackwood and Risca town centres every Friday and Saturday between the hours of 8pm to 3am throughout December – this will involve an increased Police visibility to deal with issues relating to the night time economy.
This year, the new Risca and Caerphilly Street pastors will be out in force as well as Blackwood’s existing dedicated team of Street Pastors.
Inspector Kevin Childs, of Gwent Police, said: “This one of the busiest times of year for the police, as well as other emergency services.
“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, but we also don’t want revellers to become the victims of crime or indeed an offender, as a result of drinking too much alcohol. By working together with our partners we can provide a service that ensures town centres are safe environments for local people.”
Cllr Rob Gough, cabinet member for public protection, said: “I would encourage people out and about over the festive period to work with us to help ensure that everyone remains safe. With a traditional increase in alcohol consumption over this festive period, tempers can occasionally flare, but by acting responsibly and behaving sensibly you will be helping us and our partners to ensure that everyone has a safe, trouble-free and enjoyable time.”
It is sad that Christmas time, formerly a time of good humoured drinking and an atmostphere of goodwill, has degenerated into a drunken orgy of violence and destruction.
Women are particularly at risk, drinking so much that many are barely capable of standing unaided. I feel sorry for the police and medical people who are picking up the pieces arising from this change in the behaviour of Christmas revellers.