After its first weekend of operation, the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership Initiative ‘SafeAyr’ was reported to have been “highly successful.” 

Only one minor offence was reported and NO other crimes recorded in Boswell Park, Arthur Street, Carrick Street or the High Street, between 2200 and 0400 on both Friday and Saturday night.

Details of the pilot scheme, together with results of the first weekend were reported to the Community Safety Committee of South Ayrshire Council which called for a full evaluation report to be prepared for the next appropriate meeting of the Committee.

During the first weekend of operation, favourable comments were received from people from as far afield as Newcastle, Ireland and Edinburgh who were in Ayr for golf events, hen nights and to visit friends. The comments in particular related to how impressed the visitors were with the level of policing and the facilities made available in the Boswell Park area.

Traffic restrictions in the area worked well and made the area much safer for both clubers and taxi drivers. The taxi marshals did a great job in managing the queues and revelers were happy to take their advice and co-operate with them, avoiding the kind of confrontations which were becoming routine at weekends. 

South Ayrshire Council made sure the bins were emptied and this, along with the provision of portaloos, made a big difference to the amount of litter and mess in and around the town centre.

All these thing meant that Ayr town centre was cleared quickly and most importantly safely

Chair of the Violence Multi Agency Team of South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership,  Inspector Bob Smith said:  “It was very encouraging to see and hear the very positive response from the public to the SafeAyr Initiative.  Incidents of disorder were extremely low over the weekend. However, we must remember that each weekend is different depending on the varying events bringing people into the town centre from Ayrshire and beyond.”

Councillor Douglas Campbell>, Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership said:  “I am delighted to learn of the initial success of the initiative. Obviously, it is ‘early days’ and we must be careful about over emphasising the results that have been achieved over one weekend, but it is certainly heartening to learn that the considerable effort being put in by the Partnership appears to be working.

“While Ayr town centre is a relatively safe place to be on a night out, the whole aim of the steps we are taking is to ensure that it is an even safer place.  I will be following the results of whole pilot project with considerable interest.”

Councillor Hugh Hunter, the Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Committee said: “As anticipated, people came from all over South Ayrshire and beyond at the weekend to enjoy socialising with their friends.  I really am encouraged to hear how well the first weekend went, and in particular just how well the activities of the partner organisations successfully linked together.”

Provost Winifred Sloan, who along with Councillor Douglas Campbell, and Councillor Hunter attended the “launch” of the pilot scheme said:  “The lack of any trouble during first weekend is certainly good news. 

“I appreciate the preparation and planning that has been undertaken by the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, and the obvious wholehearted co-operation by partners, and in particular Strathclyde Police and my own Council. The local licensees, shopkeepers, taxis and private hire operators all appear to be enthusiastic about what is taking place.

“I was particularly pleased that the Community Safety Partnership developed some of the ideas that I suggested, including the provision of additional toilet facilities, and extra rubbish bin clearance.”

The SafeAyr Initiative will continue over the next five weeks and will be monitored closely.

June 2006