People urged to 'know their limits' on a night time in Middlesbrough
It's a Middlesbrough Council initiative funded by CURV
People heading out to party in Middlesbrough are being urged to know their limits in a drive to stamp out violent crime.
The 'Know Your Limits' campaign is targeting perpetrators and the initiative is by Middlesbrough Council, funded from the Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV).
They are also promoting the town’s Safehaven for those in need of help on a night out.
The campaign highlighted the dangers of drink-spiking and ‘don’t be a predator’ and ‘one knife = multiple lives’ are some of the direct messages displayed on posters and digital screens in Middlesbrough town centre’s pubs, clubs and bars as well as across a Council-led social media campaign.
Over the Christmas period a new video and a targeted radio advert will focus on the need to show courtesy and respect towards those working in the night-time economy.
Under the strapline ‘End your night our right, not behind bars’, the campaign is part-funded through CURV and GRIP funding from Cleveland Police.
CURV is a partnership which sits within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and works to develop long-term solutions to tackle serious crime and violence across Cleveland.
The town’s licensed premises are fully backing the campaign and working closely with the Council and police force to help spread the campaign further by displaying posters inside clubs and pubs and sharing safety messages on social media.
Thanks to support from the OPCC office, neighbouring towns including Hartlepool, Redcar and Stockton on Tees have also adopted the campaign with bars and clubs supporting similar messaging.
Police & Crime Commissioner for Cleveland Matt Storey said: “We know there is no single solution to the problem of crime - particularly serious violence - in the night-time economy but CURV is committed to using a collaborative approach with local authorities and police to try and stop it from happening.
“The Know Your Limits campaign is a great way to reach people in night-time locations Cleveland-wide.
“It’s a reminder of the consequences their actions can have not only to themselves and their families, but to potential victims, their families and also our emergency services.”
Councillor Janet Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Community Safety, said: “The night-time economy is vital to our town centre, but it’s equally important that people know they can enjoy a night on the town in safety.
“Great improvements have been made in recent years, and we work alongside a range of partners across the public and private sectors to ensure people come away with nothing but good memories.
“By knowing their limits, hopefully potential perpetrators of these awful crimes will think twice about their actions.”
Teesside University Students Union (TUSU) recently worked with Council staff to promote Safehaven’s services on a new app designed to keep students safe while studying in Middlesbrough.
SafeZone is a free app for staff and students that provides 24/7 direct contact with the university’s security team, enabling them to help with medical emergencies and safety concerns around the clock.
Luke Stretton, Facilities and Events Manager at the Students Union, said: “It’s brilliant to see partners taking a direct approach with this new safety campaign and the message is simple - those wishing to cause harm to others on a night out are not welcome in venues across our town.”
Blessing Ihuoma, President Wellbeing at TUSU, added: “We are always delighted to work with the University and external agencies across the Tees Valley who share our commitment to keeping students and the wider community safe. We also welcome any new initiatives to further tackle these hugely important issues and reduce the number of incidents.”
Safehaven is located within Middlesbrough Bus Station and is open Friday evenings until 3.30am and Saturday evenings (and Bank Holidays) until 4.30am. Anyone in need of assistance on a night out can call 01642 727333.
To find out more, visit the Safehaven website.