| Ministers said they wanted to help ensure that people going out over the Christmas and New Year period “could enjoy themselves in a safe environment”.
A total of £660,000 is being invested in the Safer Streets project, to be divided between all 32 local authorities to fund a variety of community safety initiatives.
They include high visibility police patrols in “hot spot” areas, street pastors, targeting of street drinkers, enhanced CCTV and late night taxi marshals.
Dundee has been allocated £40,000 to provide additional police cover and high-profile patrols, and there will be knife and drug searches in what the Government described as “problem premises”.
Senior officers in Dundee were asked to comment on the plans, but had not done so at the time of going to press.
Elsewhere in Tayside, Angus and Perth and Kinross council areas are each getting £6600 for a range of proposed activities, from distribution of safety leaflets to training for street pastors.
Fife has been allocated £20,000 towards the cost of projects such as a taxi marshal scheme, alcohol-free music and dance events, camcorders to record anti-social behaviour and community crime prevention surgeries.
Minister for community safety Fergus Ewing said, “It is only right at this time of year when people like to go shopping or go out for a meal or a drink that they can do so free from the threat of aggressive or anti-social behaviour.
“The Scottish Government is already taking action to tackle the “drinking to get drunk” culture in our country which so often leads to violence through considering bringing in minimum pricing and banning irresponsible promotions.
“This additional funding for all Scotland’s local authorities will support community safety projects that seek to reduce violence, particularly alcohol-fuelled violence and stop the minority spoiling the fun for the rest of us.”
Inspector Bryan Knight from Tayside Police’s crime reduction unit said, “We are delighted that we have been given this money by the Scottish Government to continue our Centre Safe operation.
“During the festive period we will be increasing the number of patrols in the city centre to ensure that people can have an enjoyable and safe night out.” |
