Interviews

Norwich night op

by Mark Rowe

Clubbers heading to the city for a night out are being warned to behave or face being banned from pubs and clubs.

That warning from Norwich’s senior police officer, Superintendent Dave Marshall, comes after 25 people were arrested in Norwich at the weekend as part of an operation against violence in the city’s clubland.

More than 70 officers were on patrol on Saturday night, April 27, into the early hours – targeting Prince of Wales Road, Riverside and Tombland as part of Operation Impact. Police arrested 25 people for various offences including assault, drunk and disorderly and theft, while six people were issued with Section 27 notices – ordering them to leave the area for a 48 hour period.

Supt Marshall said revellers who travelled to Norwich to cause trouble could find themselves being banned from the city.

He said: “The message to people is simple, enjoy yourselves and have a good time, but do so responsibly. People coming to the city intent on causing trouble can expect to be dealt with robustly and could find themselves banned from pubs and clubs.”

Officers have the power to impose conditions on anyone arrested or charged with offences, including banning people from licensed premises and specified areas of the city.

Supt Marshall added: “My advice to party-goers is ‘know your limits’, we won’t hesitate using these conditions, which could cause serious harm to your social life.”

Police dealt with two serious assaults, the first on Prince of Wales Road at about 11.50pm when a man in his 20s was found unconscious on the pavement. The victim was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with serious head injuries. Seven people were arrested in connection with the incident and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. No further action will be taken against four people while three have been bailed while officers continue with their enquiries.

Meanwhile, in a separate and unrelated incident, officers were called to Riverside Road shortly after 1.10am on reports a man was unconscious. Police attended and the man, aged in his 20s, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he received treatment for a fractured cheekbone.

Three people were arrested in Prince of Wales Road on suspicion of theft following reports of bag and phone thefts in Tombland. The suspects were interviewed at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre and later released without charge. Phones continue to be a target for thieves, with busy nightclubs providing hunting grounds, with people less likely to notice someone tampering with their handbag.

Clubbers are urged to keep a close-eye on their belongings and not to leave bags or phones unattended.

Inspector Ed Brown, who helped co-ordinate Saturday’s operation, said: “While this is an enhanced policing operation, our approach to violence and disorder in Norwich’s night time economy remains the same all-year round.

“This operation aims to set out accepted levels of behaviour while reinforcing the message that violence and alcohol fuelled disorder will not be tolerated. Tackling violent crime remains a priority for the force and we’ve worked hard with venues to address issues recognised as a key factor in disorder, including the late-night availability of alcohol. We still experience issues of anti-social behaviour beyond 4am, with many incidents involving people hanging around having takeaways, and our work to address this will continue.”

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