Thousands of students have enjoyed a safe welcome to Newcastle thanks to Freshers Week efforts by authorities and businesses.
New figures show Newcastle City Council’s community safety team helped more than 630 people on some of busiest nights of the period – which actually lasts a fortnight.
Cllr Irim Ali, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for a Resilient City, said: “Newcastle is renowned for its hospitality industry and of course students of our two great universities make a massive contribution to the vibrancy of the city.
“As the licensing authority the council brings together police, universities, licensees and partners, sharing advice and information, and co-ordinating events.
“Our thanks go out to businesses, partners and of course the students themselves for helping us ensure that everyone has been able to enjoy a safe night out.”
Night marshals from the council’s community safety team patrolled an area including The Gate, the Bigg Market, Collingwood Street, Monument, Northumberland Street and Haymarket to offer a reassuring and visible presence and act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour, street drinking, crime, disorder and vandalism.
Officers spoke to 637 people, in 10 hours, across two Sunday nights, when thousands of students were taking part in organised pub crawls around the city centre.
Of them 392 people were “vulnerable” – due to drink, being separated from friends or suffering a crisis - with the marshals offering advice or intervention, including accompanying 116 people to their destination or to a place of safety.
Officers also recorded preventing or disrupting 49 incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour.
Licensing manager Jonathan Bryce said that the effect of the proactive work by the council, licensees, door staff, promoters and partners ahead of Freshers Week was clear to see.
“Thousands of people turned out to enjoy Newcastle’s night time economy during Freshers Week and I’m delighted to say that, thanks to the pre-planning and advance engagement between the council, hospitality businesses and partners, licenced premises operated well,” he said.
“Given the numbers present – over 2,500 students on some Sunday night pub crawls – it is a great testament to the hard work of everyone involved that so many were able to enjoy a safe and enjoyable welcome to our city.”