Norwich North MP Chloe Smith.
Norwich MP hails Prince of Wales Road police operation
Dan Grimmer
Monday, July 2, 2012
6:30 AM
Police were out in force in Norwich’s clubland at the weekend, as part of an operation aimed at tackling problems caused by irresponsible drinking and encouraging sensible behaviour.
Norfolk Constabulary’s Operation Impact II saw about 80 officers covering the length and breath of Prince of Wales Road and Riverside on Saturday night.
The aim was to make people in the area, whether clubbers, pub-goers, residents or people just passing through, feel safer.
Officers also talked to venue owners and security staff about how they work together to reduce anti-social behaviour and theft inside and outside bars and clubs.
With decent weather, many people having just picked up their monthly pay packet and Mercy nightclub showing off its recent revamp, it was a busy night in Prince of Wales Road.
Chloe Smith, Norwich North MP, joined the police on their patrols between 9pm and 1.30am and was full of praise for the initiative.
She said: “It showed the extent of work which goes on between the police, the security staff and the responsible venue owners and how they can control trouble outside and inside the clubs.
“The objectives were to keep order, encourage responsible behaviour and to protect the vulnerable, which included some of those who had gone out for the night as well as those who live nearby and people caught up in incidents as bystanders.
“It was a very busy night for a combination of reasons, with the lovely weather, people having just been paid and the re-opening of Mercy, so there were a lot of people on the streets. By 11pm the streets were packed and that continued until midnight.”
Accompanied by a pair of senior police officers, Miss Smith visited the SOS bus, which she praised for its excellent work and went down to Riverside.
On the way back up Prince of Wales Road she witnessed a fight break out close to the Mattressman shop.
She said: “The two senior officers I was with reacted very quickly and were joined by other offices. It showed me how quickly things can happen, because it was two groups of young people, who must have been in their early 20s.
“There were at least four young men fighting in the street, having moved off the pavement, so that shows one of the dangers.
“Those were people who went out for the night and ended up in the back of a police van, yet it could have been avoided if people had behaved responsibly.”
Miss Smith said she hoped the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol, which the government is consulting over, would stop people ‘pre-loading’ on alcohol bought cheaply in supermarkets and off licences before heading into the city centre.
She pointed out that places such as Prince of Wales Road did have an important role to play in the city’s economy and that people needed to drink responsibly.
• Do you have a crime story? Call Evening News reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@
archant.co.uk
Other News Articles
- Britvic cutbacks will not affect Norfolk operation
- Terror returns to Britain after man butchered in London street
- Mustard video: Martial arts expert sees off two burglars in Lakenham described as Lord of the Rings lookalikes
- Cows escape into road after holes cut in fence
- Who will pay for the infrastructure in Greater Norwich’s growth ambitions?
- Missing Norwich woman Emma Belka came home at 6am today
- Driver apologises after boasting about hitting Norfolk cyclist
- Mustard video: Beer lovers cheer return of Great Yarmouth’s historic Lacons brewery
- Signs of the times help natural enjoyment
- Police appeal for witnesses of serious two-car crash in Norwich
ADVERTISEMENT
11 comments
Well then name them Larson E Whipsnade.
Report this comment
Mike Jones
Monday, July 2, 2012
Prisoner of War Road has long been a blight. A hybrid of Hogarth`s Gin Lane and the horse-beating scene in the Catch-22 film. Chloe was very brave to venture anywhere near, even with the protection of our bold gendarmes.
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Monday, July 2, 2012
Once again EDP. Where is my comment ??. or is this now becoming discriminatory where certain people ar not allowed to comment at certain articles ?. If you dont want criticising comments, why write the article ??. I expect an answer from the editor !.
Report this comment
"V"
Monday, July 2, 2012
Mike Jones "*** How many other Norwich MP's do you know of that have joined the police into the early hours to get a feel for a problem area? *** " . Virtually everyone since the Representation of the People Act 1928 . Always a useful distraction when times are tough.
Report this comment
LARSON.E. WHIPSNADE
Monday, July 2, 2012
Can Poor Chloe Smith tell us when she was informed of Norfolk Police's change of policy of putting 80 officers on patrol on POW instead of the usual derisory handful ?
Report this comment
LARSON.E. WHIPSNADE
Monday, July 2, 2012
What did Miss Smith think about the chap on the railway roof??? was he nicked or allowed to go his way?.
Report this comment
nrg
Monday, July 2, 2012
It seems to me that whatever Chloe Smith does there is negativity. How many other Norwich MP's do you know of that have joined the police into the early hours to get a feel for a problem area? It is truly a shame that our MP's seemed to be damned whatever they do. In Chloe's case it would be good to see some support for the positive things that she does. There are other MP's who you cannot see for dust when there are real issues to contend with. At least she has the guts to stand up and be seen.
Report this comment
Mike Jones
Monday, July 2, 2012
Why all this fuss about them doing their jobs? And if the licensing authority did theirs a little better, removing licences from problem establishments perhaps there would not be so much for the police to do. Also shows the folly of listening to the police in the first place-all the clubs in one place so they can police it easily could translate as more drunks at close quarters with others are more likely to be a nuisance. Too many clubs full stop, opening hours all wrong- if they want to stop preloading bring forward the opening and closing times.
Report this comment
Daisy Roots
Monday, July 2, 2012
These headlines to not support the theory that Norwich Riverside could become a tourist attraction.
Report this comment
john kendall
Monday, July 2, 2012
Back to Norwich, tail between her legs.
Report this comment
KeithS
Monday, July 2, 2012
so when will MP smith be joining the police on a normal staffed night then?? probably never these MPs are always ready to join in on a night when there are plenty of police support . but never there when the door staff have to help the police or ambulance staff to sort out problems. its really about time these MPs etc etc got thier blind eye working and see the real world!!!!!
Report this comment
stephen watson
Monday, July 2, 2012