Joint Working To Ensure Safety Of Under-18’s At Nightclub

Officers from Bangor are working closely with a local nightclub to ensure that under-18’s nights are trouble-free and safe. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, based at Bangor Police Station, and staff from the ‘Peep’ nightclub have come together in a bid to ensure that young people are safe at the next event being held on Tuesday, July 26th. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In a bid to ensure the safety of all who attend the next ‘Youth Night’, police and staff have devised a programme of activities including contacting all off-licences and the Arriva bus company and setting up a ‘safe zone’ inside the club. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sergeant Dana Baxter, based at Bangor Police Station said: “We have been working closely with management at the club for some time. One issue we have previously had is alcohol being drunk prior to the young people attending. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“One week prior to each event a letter is now sent to all off-licences in the area to advise them of the date and time of the event and asking them to be vigilant of underage drinkers. A letter is also sent to Arriva advising them of the evening which allows them to put on any additional transport as in the past we’ve had young people coming from as far as Rhyl and Llandudno. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“On the night joint foot patrols are carried out and any youths caught with alcohol will have the items seized and they will be told they are not permitted to enter the club. Visits are also done to the off-licences on the night to remind them of the event. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Bags are also searched prior to anybody entering the club and the toilets inside are staffed at all times. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

She added: “Parents are welcome to attend the evening and wait upstairs and a safe zone is also set up inside the club on the ground floor where children can wait for their parents/guardians to collect them.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Police also carry out joint patrols with staff from the club around the town centre and at the main bus stop and there will also be a police presence outside the club when the event closes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sgt Baxter added: “After every youth night a meeting is held between ourselves and the management team at Peep nightclub to review the evening and discuss any issues. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We know many young people enjoy this event and look forward to it. We just want to ensure everybody has a good a safe and enjoyable time.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ian Roberts, General Manager, Peep Nightclub said: “The management at Peep and North Wales Police are working closely together before and after all events to ensure that all youngsters are kept safe and that anyone caught in possession of alcohol will not be allowed into the event.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The event is open to all youngsters aged 12 to 16-years-old. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​