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Call for more bobbies on beat
CALLS have been made for more bobbies on the beat in Blackpool town centre during the day.
Councillors are recommending the police presence is upped during busy weekends amid fears rowdy drinkers could deter potential shoppers.
The recommendation is in a report following a 12-month town hall scrutiny into Blackpool's retail economy.
The report, which goes to the tourism and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee tomorrow, says while there are at least 15 officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) on duty on weekend nights, the basic cover during the day is between two and six officers and PCSOs.
It says: "It is felt weekend daytime hours can be similarly busy. Members are concerned with the capability to effectively deal with drunk and disorderly behaviour in the daytime at the lower policing level."
Coun Julian Mineur said: "The presence of officers is very reassuring."
The police say they are already responding to demand.
Chief Insp Neil Chessell said: "During the weekend there is more demand in the evening than the day and therefore we have more police officers on duty at this time.
"When there are significant events taking place in the town, we put policing plans in place which may involve additional police officers working to ensure public safety.
"We have a neighbourhood policing team dedicated to policing the town centre and works closely with other agencies and businesses. There is currently a county-wide review of response officer shift rotas taking place which is looking at demand and aims to match shifts more effectively."
The Gazette's recent Season in the Spotlight survey showed 70 per cent of people now feel safer in the town centre by day, compared to 52 per cent two years ago.
Deputy town centre BID (Business Improvement District) manager Eileen Ormand said: "We also have our town centre BID wardens and more stores than ever before are part of our radio link."
The report also calls for more fixed penalty notices to tackle anti-social behaviour, and for the council to force property owners to maintain their buildings. A database is also being compiled so the council has a record of who owns town centre premises.
Do you agree, should their be more police on our streets? Leave your comments below.
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Weather for Blackpool
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
