An innovative messaging system for mobile phones is being used by Fife Community Safety Partnership this week to raise awareness of the problem of alcohol-fuelled violence.
Officers from Fife’s Night Time Noise Team, which operates from 5.30pm – 3.30am seven days a week, will be able to send out alcohol messages via a transmission system in their van as they travel the region responding to calls of noise nuisance.
This system automatically sends an animated photo message to everyone with Bluetooth-enabled phones within a 100m radius, and for the next seven days the message ‘Alcohol – it’s no excuse for violence’ will be used, accompanied by the poster image currently used by the Scottish Government’s Violence Reduction campaign.
Violence is not acceptable in any form and all incidents of alcohol violence should be reported to the police. It is hoped that this method will reach people who face violent situations in private dwellings, to complement the partnership’s Ye Ken Ye Can campaign which has a focus on public spaces including pubs and clubs.
Allan Cameron, Fife Council Environmental Health Officer, said: “This is a great opportunity to promote the message that violence is unacceptable, and will hopefully bring home the consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence for people who come to our attention through complaints of noise nuisance such as music or disputes.
“Anyone experiencing night-time noise should contact the team on 0845 600 5702. We’re able to use legislation to issue warnings or Fixed Penalty Notices if required, along with referring people to partner agencies including Fife Constabulary and our Housing Investigations Team.”
Fife Council