STOCKTON Council, in partnership with Cleveland Police, is using The Violence Reduction Act 2006 in its endeavours to reduce anti-social behaviour across Stockton Borough - with positive results.
The Act (Section 27) gives powers to use a 'Direction to Leave' (DTL) to anyone who is causing, or is likely to cause, violence as a result of misuse of alcohol, which prohibits the individual from returning to the area for up to 48 hours from the direction being given.
The DTL is used by police to intervene in circumstances where people are acting in an anti-social or rowdy behaviour which is fuelled by alcohol their consumption. This early intervention is seen as a preventative step and aims to reduce the likelihood or further disorder or even violent conduct later in the evening or day.
This preventative measure will give a clear message to those involved in such behaviour that it will not be tolerated and they (in effect) will be banned from a section or sections of the town for up to 48 hours, and give confidence to local people that we are working hard to change others perceptions of our town centre night time economy.
Figures show those issued with a DTL tend comply but, failure to do so or the person returning to an area after receiving the direction is liable to arrest and a court appearance, at least one prosecution has resulted in a £60 fine (a costly night out). Stockton Borough Council are closely involved with the Police and they ensure those issued with a DTL will receive follow up letters advising them of their future conduct whilst also offering advice and guidance on alcohol consumption, if a person receives two letters on the third they will attend Stockton police station and be offered an Acceptable behaviour contract if they decline Stockton Council will consider an application for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.
Results show that although the enforcement powers were only used in the last quarter of this year, they have contributed towards achieving a target to reduce violent assaults resulting in injury by 15 per cent in Stockton town centre.
Comparing data for the town centre from January to June 2007 and 2008, there has been a 44 per cent reduction in harassment, alarm and distress from 119 to 67. Over the same time period all violence against the person has reduced by six per cent from 277 to 259.
Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: "The use of The Violence Reduction Act 2006 is another tool at our disposal to help incidents be nipped in the bud. This will hopefully have the effect of reducing the numbers of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders."
