Violence Reduction Unit Supporting Night-Life Safety
It has funded the deployment of a St John Ambulance mobile treatment centre in Leeds City Centre, facing Boar Lane, which will operate over weekends from 12th November, until the New Year.
8th November 2021
The West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is helping to keep revellers safe across the county’s night-time economy.
It has funded the deployment of a St John Ambulance mobile treatment centre in Leeds City Centre, facing Boar Lane, which will operate over weekends from 12th November, until the New Year.
It offers first aid, care, and a place of safety to people socialising throughout the evening and early hours of the morning, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, Chief Superintendent Jackie Marsh said:
“The Violence Reduction Unit’s approach is based on principles of prevention and early intervention and the mobile treatment centre is a great way of assisting in that goal.
“It often acts as a place of safety for those who may be vulnerable on a night out, and chimes closely with the Mayor’s pledge around safety of women and girls.
“Given the recent reports we have seen nationally and locally around drink spiking, it delivers a great resource that can quickly respond.
“Its presence also helps to reduce pressures upon local hospital admissions, Police and the Ambulance Service by treating people at the scene.
“It all forms part of our wider commitment to supporting the local night- time economy, following the recent launch of the Licensing SAVI programme, which encourages venues to improve their operational security and management practices.
Jade Quittenton, Community Operations Manager for St John Ambulance in the North and said:
“Our night-time economy programme offers safe treatment spaces in city or town centre environments and St John Ambulance teams are able to ensure patients receive prompt care and treatment.
“The main aim of this partnership is to reduce harm and vulnerability within the city over the weekend, specifically: supporting vulnerable people, reducing demand on the NHS ambulance service, reducing A&E admissions, reducing the strain on the police resources, whilst enabling them to focus on critical or urgent areas.
“We are seeing an increase in activity across night-life settings, and we are therefore offering our support to Leeds communities.”