A campaign to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence was launched in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot, supported by business crime partnerships.
Consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence include damage to or even death of a victim; a criminal record or prison sentence, which could affect future career and travel plans and being banned from bars and clubs. Visitors to the counties’ bars and clubs are being urged to stop and think about the potential impact one drunken punch could have on their victims and their own lives and are asked to simply #WalkAway from violence.
Launching the campaign, Chief Supt Julian Williams said: “One stupid, drunken punch is all it takes for someone to ruin their victim’s life and their own life. Violence is totally unacceptable in any situation and excessive alcohol is no excuse. I strongly urge people who want to enjoy a night out in our vibrant city centre and towns to take responsibility for their own actions, be brave and #WalkAway from aggression and violence. Violence will not be tolerated in Swansea, Neath or Port Talbot’s night-time economies. Those who ignore our warning and refuse to change their behaviour will face arrest, being banned from pubs and clubs and a criminal record which could seriously damage a person’s plans for the future.”
A&E Consultant Michael McCabe said: “Every weekend we see the physical effects of alcohol-fuelled violence coming through our A&E department. One mindless punch can have permanent effects on victims and potentially kill. In the first instance, people need to drink less alcohol to remain in control of their behaviour. Then where someone is faced with a violent situation, take a few seconds to assess their behaviour and walk away rather than throw a punch. I would then be treating a lot fewer people in hospital after a night out.”
Safer Swansea and Safer Neath Port Talbot Partnerships will work together to change behaviour of people with support from Swansea Sound and The Wave and The Ospreys rugby. Publicity and communications will work together with on-going partnership activity to keep the night-time economy, particularly of Swansea city centre, as safe as possible.
Norma Thomas, crime manager for Swansea BCRP said, “We have a good relationship with our night-time members and have distributed posters and advice. The members have been well-briefed on how to respond and will send us details of all incidents so we can collate information and work with other agencies to ensure successful outcomes.”
Follow the campaign on Twitter via #WalkAway and follow @swpwest @swpolice and @SaferSwansea.
Re-tweet campaign messages to help spread the word.
Visit the One Punch Ruins Lives Facebook page and join the campaign to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence: https://www.facebook.com/onepunchruinslives
