Enjoy safer nights in the Royal Borough - look for the owl (6.12.11)

Revellers visiting the Royal Borough over the Christmas period are reminded to stay safe and 'look for the owl'.

The owl is synonymous with the community safety partnership's Nightwise scheme which is dedicated to ensuring visitors to Maidenhead and Windsor town centres have a safe, positive experience while enjoying their night out.

Activities in support of Nightwise - launched a year ago - include:

• All door staff, the licensing team and police who are part of the scheme will wear Nightwise badges clearly showing the owl. Visitors will be able to ask them for help and advice, for example the location of the nearest taxi rank or train station.
• Members of Nightwise will receive posters to display as well as badges and stickers to promote the scheme.
• Taxis involved with taxi marshalling schemes will display a Nightwise sticker to show support and to promote to revellers.
• All key front-line staff including police, members of the borough's licensing team and bar staff will be trained on the resources available to help keep people safe at night.
• Pubs, bars, clubs and licensed premises will be branded as part of Nightwise as safe places to go on a night out.
• Street Angels - volunteers who are there for people who need help in the night-time economy eg distressed and vulnerable young people.

The scheme has been expanded to include Street Angels in both Maidenhead and Windsor and will be relaunched next week. The website http://www.nightwise.org.uk has been developed and includes information on all the bars, clubs and restaurants which are members of the scheme.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, said: "Nightwise has been well-received by the bars and clubs and they have been very supportive. We have taken many of their suggestions on board to further improve the scheme.

"The Royal Borough benefits from two lively town centres which are the focus of our thriving night-time economy. With the Christmas season upon us, all the partners are dedicated to ensuring that when people visit Maidenhead or Windsor for a night out they are safe and remember it for all the right reasons. Remember - be safe, be Nightwise."

"Most people have fun and don't get into trouble, but there is a small minority who have too much to drink and cause trouble, criminal damage and commit serious crime. We will work with Thames Valley Police to ensure that appropriate action is taken."

Inspector Mark Millward, community safety inspector, said: "We want people to enjoy a safe night out in the Royal Borough this Christmas. Make sure you know how you'll get home before you go on a night out, keep an eye on your friends and stay away from situations that could put you and others at risk.

"As well as Nightwise, Thames Valley Police has also introduced its 'Stay Safe this Christmas, and drink and drug drive campaign' which promotes various crime prevention advice. As well as the Nightwise website, I would encourage people to visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk/saferstreets where they can find useful information on how to keep safe over the festive period."

Nightwise is supported by a website, http://www.nightwise.org.uk, which gives information on licensed premises, places to go, transport and safety advice.