TFM meet the team keeping you safe this Black Eye Friday

We've spent the night with the team at Safe Haven in Middlesbrough to find out how they help people who've had a little too much to drink.

Published 17th Dec 2015

Many of us will be hitting the town tonight for Black Eye Friday - the busiest night of the year for the region's pubs and clubs.

The influx of Christmas parties into the town, as well as many people finishing work on the day, will result in a busiser night than usual.

Police and other emergency services are all expected to feel the strain.

But there is a group of people who're there to ease the burden on the region's emergency services, and help those who've over-indulged tomorrow night.

Safe Haven on Albert Road in Middlesbrough offers partygoers a spot of quiet where they can receive medical attention or provide comfort to people in distress.

Inside the inconspicuous storefront, the staff are primed waiting for the stream of drunken revellers to begin.

The room contains seating along the edges of the room, as well as sofa beds for those who may need to sleep off their night.

For Liason Worker Derek Bilton, the aim is to help all vulnerable people who need assistance on Middlesbrough's streets.

He said: "No two nights are the same.

"Obviously we're dealing with people who are usually intoxicated but it's a wide range of things.

"We deal with everything, from angry punters, people who're emotional."

The night we spent with the Safe Haven Teesside was being battered by the high winds of Storm Desmond, resulting in the signage of a nearby bar clattering into the street.

Luckily the only injury was 18-year-old Connor Mullen from Linthorpe, who suffered bruising to his foot.

But it's a reminder that anything can happen on a night in Middlesbrough.

Another visitor during the night was 34-year-old Chrissy Shepherd.

Once one of the region's most promising cricketers, his battle with alcohol has left him homeless.

He came into the centre to change into some new clothes given to him by a local bouncer, and expressed his gratitude to the Safe Haven team.

He said: "They're absolutely brilliant.

"I wish I was a millionnaire because I'd give them so much funding to keep them going.

"They've made such a difference to my life."

And Chrissy isn't the only one who's thankful.

Police officers who would usually be called to handle situations involving drunken partygoers can now respond other incidents, as the Safe Haven team take over.

Response Sergeant Ian Widdas says it's great that pressure can be taken off the emergency services.

He said: "Instead of people calling the police, they can come straight here which is a lot more appropriate.

"Especially on the run up to Christmas it can get really busy.

"The town is full of people who've had a good time, maybe sometimes a bit too much to drink."