Training to make night out in Darwen safer (From This Is Lancashire)

Training to make night out in Darwen safer

8:00pm Monday 13th July 2009

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READING body language and eye contact are tactics to be used to prevent crime and disorder on nights out in Darwen.

It follows a conflict management training course in which licensees and door staff teamed up with the police.

The training, delivered by Sergeant Andy Maltman as part of Darwen’s Bar U scheme, gave licensees and door staff tips on how to spot and stop potential incidents of disorder and how to react to them effectively and safely.

The chairman of Bar U, Reg Gorton, said they were trained how to diffuse a situation by remaining calm and bar staff would be encouraged to explain why they would refuse to serve someone instead of just saying ‘no’ which may provoke some customers.

He hoped the training would help customers and staff stay safe and encourage them stay in Darwen for a night out.

The training was organised after licensees expressed concern about personal safety and incidents of violence both inside and outside pubs in Darwen.

It was delivered to 46 members of staff from pubs across Darwen.

Sgt Maltman said: “Hopefully this training will allow licensees to work in a safer environment as well as helping the police to reduce crime in Darwen.

“Whilst violent crime is down in Darwen, this type of training should demonstrate that the police work closely with licensees to make the town’s pubs a safe place to socialise.”

Mr Gorton, who owns Roxy and Bar Java nightclubs, added: “The training session held by Darwen Police was a great success and I was really impressed with the atten-dance.

This training is yet another tool that we as licensees can implement and ensure that we maintain the safety of our staff and customers at all times.”

Sunnyhurst ward councillor Andrew Graham, who is on Blackburn with Darwen licensing committee, said: “I think anything that helps keep disorder to a minimal is a good thing.

“People want to feel safe when they are on a night out. If people know that licensees and door staff have taken the course, they will feel more confident about going into the town centre.

“When there is an incident, it is dealt with very quickly by police and the appropriate people. I hope this gives people confidence to stay or come to Darwen for a night out.”

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