Council bosses are haling the success of a partnership campaign that was launched over the Christmas period.
Whilst it is only a small minority of people who commit such offences, statistics highlighted that reports of alcohol-related violence increased over the Christmas period.
Chase Community Safety Partnership launched ‘It’s Never OK’ to tackle alcohol-related violence in the town centres and at home. It provided two key messages including: Violent Night – encouraging night-time revellers not to get too drunk and commit alcohol-related violence and Season’s Beatings – preventing incidents of domestic violence by challenging the behaviour of the perpetrators and encouraging victims to report their abuse.
The campaign highlighted the significant effects alcohol can have on you and raised awareness of domestic violence.
Due to the high profiled campaign material, the campaign helped to reduce alcohol-related violence across the district by 22% and domestic violence by 35%.
Staffordshire Women’s Aid also saw a significant 59% increase in reports of domestic violence compared to 2010.
Councillor George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council and Chairman of Chase Community Safety Partnership, said:
“It is extremely impressive that this campaign has helped to reduce alcohol-related violence so significantly across the district by getting potential offenders to think about their actions.
The campaign sent out a strong message that ‘It’s Never OK to commit any type of alcohol-related violence and it will not be tolerated,
The reductions were achieved in partnership, which goes to show that by working together we can make a real difference.
I am looking forward to seeing how future campaigns can have the same impact on reassuring local residents that we are dealing with anti-social behaviour and other crime related issues that matter to them”.
Chief Inspector Carl Ratcliffe, Commander of Cannock Chase District Local Policing Team, said:
“I saw the ‘It’s Never OK’ campaign in action and it was extremely effective, highlighting in a creative way that any alcohol-related violence is not acceptable within Cannock Chase District.
I am really pleased with the reductions in reported violence by using this partnership approach”.
Dickie Chester-James, Chief Executive for Staffordshire Women’s Aid, said:
“‘We know domestic and sexual violence happens at all times of year the and that reporting it is incredibly difficult. Sometimes knowing how to contact the right people is essential. This publicity campaign has helped let women know that there is a non-judgmental service that can offer confidential support. I cannot stress how big a step it is to seek help, but when someone does it has the potential to change and in some cases save lives”
Chase Community Safety Partnership would like to thank Chase Harmony and Hednesford Town Football Club for their support with this campaign.
The campaign was funded by Chase Community Safety Partnership.
For more information about the ‘It’s Never OK’ campaign contact Kerry Wright, Senior Partnerships Officer on 01543 464368.
Cannock Chase Council,
PO Box 28,
Beecroft Road,
Cannock,
Staffordshire,
WS11 1BG