Late night closure of Belvoir Street, Leicester, sees fall in crime
The pedestrianisation at weekends of a street busy with bars and clubs has been hailed a success.
The five-week trial has led to a drop in the number of incidents being reported to police.
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The five-week street closure trial has led to a drop in the number of incidents being reported to police.
Belvoir Street, in the city centre, has been closed to traffic from 10pm to 4am on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the trial period, concluding last weekend, to make it safer for people enjoying a night out.
Police said that over the four weekends prior to the trial, 14 incidents – mainly public order – were reported to officers.
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But during the first four weeks of the trial, that fell to a total of five incidents being reported to police, including public order and drunk and disorderly issues, and one incident of assault causing actual bodily harm.
The figure for the final weekend was not available yesterday.
Chief Inspector Adam Streets, the officer leading the operation, said: "Early indications show that the closure has been really successful and there is no doubt that it has increased public safety.
"On top of that, in the first four weeks of the pilot we saw a 65 per cent reduction in crime and incidents being reported on the street, compared with the four weeks before."
The police have worked with the city council, Gateway Business Association and the Highways Agency on the scheme.
Ch Insp Streets said the force would now talk to the groups involved to make a make a full evaluation and "hopefully make the closure permanent".
James Conaghan, general manager of the Mercure Hotel, in Belvoir Street, said the closure had been good news for the area.
He said: "We are definitely behind any plans to keep the closure in place.
"We have seen a real difference in the atmosphere and there has been a dramatic change in the noise you can hear from inside the hotel, which is a great benefit to our customers."
Nick Taylor, manager at the Fat Cat Cafe Bar, said: "Our takings were up on a couple of weekends and we've noticed a better atmosphere in the street, with people walking from bar to bar without having to worry about traffic."
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "The last five weeks have shown us that closing Belvoir Street to traffic on weekend evenings has had a positive effect, including a drop in reported crime and a safer atmosphere for people."
Comments
by Stoned
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 4:38PM
“After much consternation I've had a thought. Perhaps this street closure is part of a devious plan......the road at one end of Belvoir Street is Newarke Street......at the end of Newarke Street is De Montfort University campus. I suspect a few students will be frequenting the Belvoir Street bars so it's probably safe to assume that DMU are concerned for their welfare and whatever DMU want in Leicester they seem to get. Watch out for a 'safe zone' of traffic free streets starting to take shape along this route.”
by Truth_Vibes
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 3:26PM
“This is ridiculous! What next? Buckets in the streets for drunks to feel sick in?”
by Stoned
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 12:56PM
“Sorry Raspberry but closing the street, albeit between 10pm and 4am, will cause inconvenience to drivers who want to use it. I can imagine the scene now....a visitor to the city finds he can't turn into Belvoir Street and asks a policeman why not. "We get a few drunks along here sir so we close the road in case they get hurt falling off the pavement." If it's that effective why not close the town centre from 10pm Friday till 4am Monday? It's the thin end of the wedge.”
by Raspberry
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 10:24AM
“People always drunk, drink and will be drink. The point is to increase safety for them and other people on the streets. If closing the busiest streets works- why not?”
by Stoned
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 10:01AM
“I don't believe that we are now closing roads so that a bunch of drunks don't get run over. Are we losing the battle against the 'drink it down and throw it back up' culture?”