Call for action on violence
CALDERDALE’S Conservatives are urging councillors to support a raft of measures to counteract what they say is a growing problem with violence in Halifax town centre’s night time economy.
Measures including a traffic light system for bars and clubs in Halifax depending on how many violent incidents they are linked with and which could be used to take action, working with venues to recruit more female door staff, expand the use of drug wipes and review alcohol promotions, improve searching of club-goers and promoting the Ask Angela women’s safety campaign on the council’s social media platforms are all actions the group hopes the full Calderdale Council will support when it meets next Wednesday, November 24.
A motion submitted by Clr Regan Dickenson (Con, Rastrick) also calls on Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, Clr Jenny Lynn (Lab, Park) to inquire of police partners about a roll-out of plain clothes officers in bars and nightclubs announced earlier this year.
Clr Dickenson’s motion says anti-social behaviour in popular spots such as the Piece Hall and Westgate includes gangs intimidating visitors, alleges some door staff in the town are using excessive force to evict club-goers and expresses a likelihood that sexual violence may be unreported.
“If left unchecked, the issues identified will contribute to a decline in Halifax’s reputation and affect the trade of local businesses, particularly those within the hospitality sector,” he says.
Related issues were also raised by Liberal Democrat group leader Clr James Baker (Warley) in the public question time section of
November’s Cabinet meeting.
Clr Baker said incidents highlighted on social media had included an instance of a woman being attacked with a needle in a Halifax nightclub.
Clr Lynn outlined measures which had been taken to improve safety and said security will be stepped up when partners including the police believe it is required.
She said the council is working with its partners to create a safer Calderdale and had invested heavily in its community protection service, increasing warden presence across Calderdale, and a number of tools were available to the authority and partners which were used, specifically in Halifax town centre.
The Conservative motion to be put before full council next Wednesday at Halifax Town Hal, also urges the authority to consider an education campaign in local school sixth forms and colleges spreading awareness on keeping safe, anti-violence messaging and addressing the issue of harassment of women.
It also calls on the council to submit a bid to the next round of funding from the Goverment’s Safer Streets Fund which includes money being made available to prevent violence against women and girls.