Edinburgh nightclubs' Unighted stand sees dramatic drop in crime

VIOLENCE in and around city nightclubs has been dramatically reduced since the setting up of a scheme aimed at banning troublemakers, with new figures showing that the number of assaults has fallen by a third.

The Unight scheme, which links all 45 venues with late licences in the Capital, has been cited as a major factor behind a nearly 40 per cent drop in crime linked to the venues.

The figures revealed that serious assaults recorded by police have decreased by 36 per cent since Unight was established in 2007, while minor assaults have been reduced by more than 30 per cent. Drug dealing at the venues has also fallen dramatically, with a 95 per cent drop in supply charges, while possession offences are down 83 per cent.

Unight bosses said the drop in crime was mainly due to the scheme and its bans system, with Hibs star Derek Riordan the most high-profile person to be barred from nightspots.

Under its data-sharing system, images of drug-takers or violent customers taken from CCTV cameras are sent to other clubs, and offenders are barred from all Unight premises for a minimum of three months.

Only one person was caught with an offensive weapon at a city nightclub last year, compared with 11 cases in 2007. During the same period, thefts fell from 638 to 498.

Bruce Johnston, a member of the Unight chair group, said: "To have 38.5 per cent, or a 602 crime decrease, since Unight began is a great achievement." Sarah David, owner of Cabaret Voltaire on Blair Street, added: "Prior to the scheme being live, it often was the case that if people offended in one venue, they simply went on to another and often committed the same crime.

"Unight's unique banning procedure, where offenders are banned for pre-agreed lengths of time from all venues, acts as a deterrent to persons considering any form of offence."

Police and nightclub bosses have worked closely to establish Unight, which last year picked up the Outstanding Achievement accolade at the first Scottish Police Awards ceremony.

Superintendent Donnie MacKinnon said the scheme "has assisted us in making the city of Edinburgh a safer place to work, live and visit".

Among Unight's measures is a ban on irresponsible drinks promotions, while all 'legal high' drugs were banned before laws were passed to outlaw substances such as mephedrone.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "The member clubs of Unight have led by example in tackling binge drinking in Edinburgh by banning drinks promotions that clearly do nothing but encourage people to get out of their heads and I thank them for their efforts.

"Getting rid of these irresponsible promotions is an approach that is clearly working. It is just one of many good things being done by Unight."