Witney News - West Oxon Nightsafe Radio Link set up in Witney

West Oxon Nightsafe Radio Link set up in Witney

Nightsafe pubs and clubs in Witney have all been issued with walkie talkie radios to enable them to
communicate with each other and with the town centre CCTV Control Room.

A £7,000 Home Office grant was used to purchase the equipment and 15 licensed premises have been issued with radios to help tackle alcohol related crime and disorder and deal more effectively with known trouble makers.

Cllr Barry Norton, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "Nightsafe is now operating in 60 premises across the District and each has agreed a charter, which includes joining the local Pubwatch scheme,
displaying high visibility posters about responsible drinking and ensuring that bar staff are trained on managing alcohol misuse. The radio scheme in Witney will complement the CCTV scheme and provide additional 'eyes and ears'."

Inspector Andy Higgs, who has responsibility for Licensing in West Oxfordshire, said: "The police in Witney have a good relationship with licensees and we believe these radios will assist us in being informed about
incidents earlier and preventing them escalating. Each premise has been issued with a handset and a user protocol and we have been testing the radios during the World Cup. There have already been incidents involving public order and anti social behaviour in the town centre where the radio has been used.

Mark Wates, the owner of Nortons Cafe Bar in Witney who is supporting the initiative, said: “The Community Safety Partnership and Licensees in Witney have achieved a significant amount in the past year.
We launched Nightsafe in November, have issued out over 10,000 spikies, we recently held a World Cup
Nightsafe Campaign, and now each licensed premises has a radio. It's a real team effort and I think during the last year there have been significantly less problems in the Town.”