Up Beat

ANTI-DRINK & DRUG/DRIVING CAMPAIGN

22 December 2006

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A CRIME
 
Last December 378 domestic related incidents were reported to Southwark police, of which 222 constituted a criminal offence.

Anyone can experience Domestic Violence the perpetrator can be a partner, ex-partner or family member. It is a pattern of behaviour that controls and dominates the victim and can leave them isolated and humiliated.
1 in 4 women experience domestic violence over their lifetime and 10% of women suffer domestic violence in a given year.

Alcohol is often blamed for domestic violence but it is not the cause. The perpetrator is responsible for their behaviour, not alcohol. Many people drink too much and don't commit domestic violence. 
If you are abusing your partner, you should know that the police no longer need thier statement to make an arrest.  If we have reasonable grounds, we will arrest you immediately.  If you have left the scene, we will track you down.  There are no longer any safe houses for men or women who commit domestic violence.

Southwark Police works closely with support agencies to help provide all-round support and advice for victims.

Southwark Police Hate Crime Unit 0207 232 6237
Victim Support Southwark 0207 378 8886
Bede Domestic Violence Project 0207 237 9162
Refuge 0808 200 0247
Southwark Floating Support 0208 693 2683
Christmas anti-drink and drug/driving campaign

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will hold an anti-drink and drug/driving campaign in support of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Christmas Drink and Drug Driving Enforcement Campaign.  This is to increase awareness of the dangers of having a couple of drinks and driving and to educate drivers that they can't calculate their alcohol limit.

The MPS are aiming to shake the driver's confidence about their own 'rule of thumb' of what's safe to drink and drive and to get them to think about the consequences of being caught.  Large fines and disqualification from driving are common sentences handed down by the courts in addition to imprisonment for repeat offenders.

On average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions. Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involved drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.

Police are enforcing the fact that if you think you won't get caught, more than half a million breath tests are carried out each year and on average 100,000 are found to be positive. The campaign also warns against driving the next day after drinking as you may feel OK, but you may still be unfit to drive or over the legal alcohol limit. You could still lose your licence if you drive the next day when you're still over the legal alcohol level.  It's impossible to get rid of alcohol any faster. A shower, a cup of coffee or other ways of 'sobering up' will not help. It just takes time.  Breath and impairment tests will be carried out on those drivers suspected of drink or drug driving and will be prosecuted where found over the limit.  The message to drivers is just don't do it.

Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Advice

In December of last year there were over 483 offences reported to police concerning motor vehicles. 

Southwark Police have a dedicated Motor Vehicle Squad that focuses on fully investigating all motor vehicle offences and a positive arrest policy is adopted to bring offenders to justice. 

Due to their efforts Southwark is now experiencing a reduction of 39% in thefts of motor vehicles and a reduction of 21% of thefts from motor vehicles.

Southwark Police also runs a motor vehicle clinic, which invites victims to take their vehicles to Camberwell where forensics are retrieved from the vehicle there and then in order to identify the offenders. 

 
Crime Prevention Advice

Make sure your vehicle is properly locked and secured at all times.
Do not leave any items on display in your vehicle  when it is unattended.
Remove Satellite Navigation caskets from display.
Do not leave presents in your vehicle when unattended.
Park your vehicle in a well lit area and in authorised car parks or parking bays. Park in  areas where there is CCTV and where your vehicle is visible and not obscured.
Do not breach parking prohibitions as your vehicle may be towed away!
Make use of vehicle anti theft devices.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended in public places for longer than necessary.
If you can pre-order your shopping in advance to cut down on your shopping time this would be  better. Consider having your shopping ordered and delivered to your home. 
If you are overly concerned about your vehicle being stolen consider disconnecting the battery lead (this only takes a minute and can cause a car thief a great deal of frustration...if they can't start your car they'll probably move on to another  vehicle).

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