Brighton sergeant on policing the city at night time

I have had the privilege of policing Brighton and Hove for just shy of 20 years, most of which have been in uniform roles featuring the night-time economy of the city.

No matter what department officers are in, all will have experienced this hugely important area of policing in some way or another.

Many will have experienced the sheer sense of relief as the early morning finally clears to allow a small window of calm and an opportunity to recover.

Either way, it is something in our careers that we will always remember.

There are almost 2,000 licensed premises in Brighton and Hove.

They are part of what draws in around ten million visitors every year who spend almost £900 million between them.

This fact brought sharply into focus when I was recently made to buy a round, the bill, I felt, falling just short of that figure.

As police officers, we sometimes see it at its very best, but sometimes at its very worst, but I know that the public of Brighton and Hove have no appetite to change its reputation as a fantastically welcoming, trendy and entirely vibrant city which will, for the foreseeable future, see us all take on this unique night-time environment.

Unfortunately the party atmosphere, and the substances which play such a significant part, can leave people vulnerable to crime and exploitation.

Whatever the cause of misbehaviour, it is our role as police officers, alongside our community partners and licensed venues, to make sure the public are free to enjoy their nights out and get home safely at the end.

I also must mention the wonderful and sadly missed Inspector Andy Parr, whose theory on the correlation between the full moon and adverse behaviour made it on to BBC News in 2007.

It is also the case that we have evolved our plan based on how the public expect us to respond.

A renewed focus on tackling violence against women and girls is an example of how our policing role uniquely allows us to influence and ultimately safeguard vulnerable people.

The cornerstone of that endeavour is Operation Marble.

Marble teams are officers who are focused on policing the night-time economy in Brighton and Hove, in addition to the officers already working the night shift that covers the entire city.

Brighton at night (Image: Submitted)

Anybody who saw the Channel 4 series Night Coppers over the summer will be familiar with Operation Marble.

The officers featured in the series were often working a Marble shift.

The role of Marble officers is to set the tone early in the night, providing a visible presence that is maintained through to the morning.

They are clear points of contact, respond to issues rapidly and link in seamlessly with the patchwork of measures that form a safety blanket across the night-time economy.

Sussex Police also funds a group of SIA-accredited security staff who are employed by Pagoda Security, the Night Safety Marshals.

The marshals are linked in with the police via dedicated radios and patrol the city centre identifying vulnerable people, offering assistance and linking in with police or partners should they be required.

Think of them as extra pairs of eyes and ears, tackling issues before they escalate and freeing up police officers’ time to deal with more serious incidents.

Another of their roles is to escort vulnerable people to Safe Space in St Paul’s Church in West Street.

Safe Space is operated by our partners and offers first aid, advice and a cup of tea with a biscuit for people who need their help.

The space is also serviced by Street Pastors, who patrol the city helping vulnerable people.

If you’ve ever been into the city centre, you will likely have seen somebody who has had too much to drink being helped outside a bar or in the street.

You may have seen them being helped into a wheelchair by the Street Pastors, who will take them to Safe Space or request further assistance if needed.

Add on to all of that the Taxi Marshals posted at taxi ranks to help people get into taxis safely, plus Beach Patrol, which drives along the seafront, helping anybody in need on the beach or raising alarm for someone in distress in the water.

Not to mention the safety measures put in place

by the licensed venues themselves.

Policing the night-time economy of course brings its challenges.

People’s inhibitions are lowered, their judgement is impaired and aggression can be heightened.

With a bit of patience, empathy, teamwork and, where necessary, enforcement, we can all get through to the other side in safety.

I will leave you with wishes for a safe and peaceful new year, and a favoured and slightly tweaked quote from the writer Jack London, that some film experts may recognise – words that not only inspire my own actions but often offer an explanation of the public we serve, never more so than within the night-time economy:

“The proper function of humans is to live every day and not merely exist.

“I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them, I shall use my time.”