City safety scheme takes top prize at police awards

An Edinburgh scheme established to tackle anti-social behaviour has won a top award at the Scottish Policing Awards, after a dramatic fall in crime in city centre venues.

Unight, a partnership of 45 capital bars and nightclubs, won the outstanding achievement award at the event after the number of serious assaults in member venues was halved.

Sarah David, chair of the group and owner of Cabaret Voltaire nightclub, said:"The fact that every venue in Edinburgh has stepped up and taken ownership in trying to create a safer night-time economy for our patrons and staff is what has made Unight stand out."

Figures have shown that the number of serious assaults in venues fell 50 percent in the scheme's first nine months, whilst drug offences fell by 55 per cent.

The Journal reported in October 2008 that overall crime outside venues was down 21 per cent in the same period.

Bruce Johnston, who advises members of the group, said: “The scheme has coincided with this drop in crime around nightclubs and Unight has been a major factor in that coming down. It's self-regulation that has allowed for troublemakers who are not wanted in these venues to be kept out.”

Membership of Unight has grown vastly since its inception in 2007, with the number of participating venues growing from 21 to 45, now including most city centre late night entertainment venues.

Mr Johnston added: “The level of take-up among the premises across the city has been one of the reasons for its success. These venues are competitors but they have joined together to make the city centre a safer place.”

As part of the scheme, revellers banned from one venue are subsequently banned from other member venues, with bans lasting at least three months. Information on offenders is also shared with CCTV images of drugs offenders and violent customers circulated between members.

The most high profile case came in August 2008 when Hibs striker Derek Riordan received a ban after an incident at Berlin nightclub.

Ms David added: "Unight and its unique banning policy and data sharing acts as a deterrent, and I feel that this outcome is one of the resounding successes of the partnership.

"Unight are extremely pleased with this award which recognises the great work carried out through this unique parternship between all 45 entertainment venues, Lothian and Borders Police and the City of Edinburgh Council."

Ms David's comments were echoed by Inspector Gordon Hunter of Lothian and Borders Police licensing department. He said: "There's been a lot of hard work involved and it's unusual to see such co-operation between rival businesses to achieve results.

"The fact that people can be banned from every nightclub is, in reality, quite a big stick to use. Unight has had a direct effect on reducing crime."

The scheme has been backed by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who said: “Unight is a great example of clubs and police working together to enforce the law, and it shows what can be achieved by working together."

The group received the praise of the Scottish Government after implementing a ban on “irresponsible” drinks promotions five months before the introduction of changes to Scotland's licensing laws outlawing multi-buy drinks promotions and happy hours.

Unight picked up the award at the inaugural Scottish Policing Awards ceremony, held at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan.