12 JULY 2006 ANOTHER phase of the Harrogate District Safer Communities Partnership NightSafe campaign took place last weekend in Harrogate town centre, but this time the message was bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before.

 

The Partnership had hired a media van with a 3m x 2m display screen displaying NightSafe messages around the town centre following the route taken by those who use Harrogate's night scene.

 

Nicky Garside, Head of Public Protection, explained:  "Other safer communities partnerships have used this medium and found it very effective.  The screen certainly attracted the attention of many people. They were seeing some stark messages.  We were running footage from CCTV cameras showing how easy it is to get mixed up in trouble when you have been drinking.  We also promoted the Harrogate Pubwatch scheme - get into trouble in one pub and you will end up being banned from them all.

 

"Feedback from the event has been good, particularly from door staff who were complimentary about this pro-active approach to tackling violence in the night-time environment.  We are continually looking for innovative ways of engaging people to make sure that they have a good night and get home safely."  ENDS