The Safer Neath Port Talbot Partnership is warning people to steer clear of alcohol-related crime and disorder during the Six Nations rugby tournament- or face a stay at the Lock ‘ Em Inn!
A campaign is being launched this weekend which sees police cells in the towns being marketed as convenient accommodation – with lots of bars!
Leaflets will be given out to visitors to pubs and clubs to remind them of the consequences of getting into trouble.
Community Safety Inspector Mark Lenihan said: “The campaign is light-hearted but carries a very serious message which we are attempting to get across to people in a fun way.
“The message is: Your night out, your choice, don’t spend it with us. There are far better places to spend your night out than a police cell.”
Details about the Lock ‘ Em Inn – which is convenient accommodation with lots of ‘bars’, open 24/7, 365 days a year – are now being distributed to pubs and clubs and other outlets.
The poster and leaflet remind people that Neath Port Talbot Police has a zero tolerance approach to drunken behaviour and if you behave in this way, you can expect to end up with a stay in the Lock ‘ Em Inn . Bar staff in the towns will also wear T-shirts to reinforce the message.
It is supported by the Neath Port Talbot Business Crime Reduction Partnership which operates an exclusion zone to ban troublemakers from all licensed premises.
Inspector Lenihan added: “Neath Port Talbot is one of the safest places in South Wales and we want to keep it that way.
“We want to welcome people into town who are here to enjoy the night-time economy and not get involved in alcohol-related crime and disorder.
“If they do get involved in this sort of behaviour then they will spend a night with us they will probably never forget.”
Police will also be visiting pubs and clubs to ensure licensing conditions are being adhered to.
Licensing officer John Williams said: “Enforcement of legislation and licensing conditions is vitally important to ensure our town centres have a safe night-time economy.
“We are regularly checking on compliance and those licensed premises which are found to be in breach will be dealt with accordingly and prosecuted.”
