Nightclub safety initiative bans 240 'revellers'

MORE than 240 "revellers" have been banned from every nightspot in the Capital during the last year under a drive to tackle violence and drugs in city clubs.

The banning orders were imposed under the Unight scheme, which links all 46 venues with late licences in the city.

The 244 banned clubbers were caught carrying out assaults and thefts, as well as drug dealing.

New figures released today also show that crime in city clubs has fallen dramatically since the Unight scheme was launched in November 2007.

The figures for last month show that serious assaults have fallen by a third over the three years, while thefts fell by 21 per cent and drug possession by 87 per cent.

Club bosses highlighted the fact that no drug dealers have been caught in any of the 46 premises during the last ten months as evidence that the tough door policy is keeping troublemakers out.

Police chiefs also welcomed the success of the scheme, and said that the joint approach taken by officers and club owners had boosted "safety and security" in venues.

Sarah David, owner of Cabaret Voltaire in Blair Street and chairwoman of Unight, said: "Edinburgh remains to be one of the safest destinations in the UK to enjoy late night entertainment. These reduced crime figures are testament to the commitment made by the partnership of Unight venues, Lothian and Borders Police and City of Edinburgh Council to reduce crimes relating to the late night economy."

Ms David added that a recent meeting of Unight members had agreed further rules for imposing bans on individuals, including excluding anyone carrying out racist or homophobic attacks.

Anyone caught giving fake ID to an under-18 will receive a one-year ban while under-age revellers will be hit with a ban running until six months after their 18th birthday.

Pictures of the clubbers banned by Unight are circulated around all door staff in the city to ensure they stick to the ban.

Bouncers who detain culprits still call police to investigate, but those banned also have their images added to a book kept by all Unight members.

In January 2008, Don Webley, then 26, became the first person to receive a lifetime ban after being jailed for ten months for an assault outside City in Market Street.