Police set up welfare hub on 'Black Eye Friday'
It's the busiest night of the year as party-goers fill our towns and cities to celebrate the last weekend before Christmas. It's known as "Black Eye Friday" because of a spike in anti-social behaviour.
Police are putting extra resources onto the streets, while NHS staff are bracing themselves for a long and busy night.
This year a welfare hub is in place as emergency services aim to stop drink-fuelled disorder getting out of hand.
But to avoid having to use it, officers are urging people to drink sensibly and stay out of trouble.
The main aim of the welfare hub – outside Carlisle railway station - is to reduce demand on police, the North West Ambulance Service and the NHS in general by early intervention.
Officers will be out in busy parts of the city to deter any disorder and to prevent incidents escalating before they become more serious.
Sergeant Chris Blain said: “We will be working with colleagues from British Transport Police, St John’s Ambulance and the North West Ambulance Service, supported by the Carlisle Pubwatch scheme, Carlisle Street Pastors and taxi marshals.
"The main aim of the hub is to reduce demand on police and the NHS in general by early intervention. St John’s Ambulance staff will be able to assist with minor injuries and monitor patients where necessary.This will allow time to contact relatives to seek assistance in transporting them out of the city safely. Any serious injuries will be checked by suitably qualified medical staff before a decision is made whether to request an ambulance. This again will reduce the expected heavy burden on the ambulance service and reduce the need for an officer to remain with a patient until an ambulance arrives.
"The taxi marshals will be on duty at the Citadel and Warwick Road ranks.In previous years these trained staff have reduced violent crime by ensuring people queuing at the ranks do so in an orderly way.
“We will not tolerate those who spoil the night for others through assaults and disorder.”
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