Posters bring feel-good factor to town

A WIDE-ranging visual endorsement is the latest tactic in a police campaign to bring the feel-good factor to Ipswich.

Today, dozens of pubs, clubs and bars in the town are putting up posters to promote SMILE (Safety Makes Ipswich Life Enjoyable).

The strategy, which is supported by The Evening Star, provides a lighter touch to previous law enforcement campaigns, such as the Lock 'em Inn initiative aimed at zero tolerance towards alcohol-fuelled troublemakers.

Senior Ipswich officers believe the shift in emphasis will instil confidence that people will have a safe and friendly night out in Ipswich town centre.

The posters are just part of a range of tactics police, paramedics, door staff and other services are using to get their message across.

They were given to around 50 members of Barwatch at a meeting in the Curve Bar in Princes Street this week.

Inspector Becky Kidd-Stanton, of Ipswich police, said: “The purpose of the posters is to promote the SMILE campaign so it is at the forefront of people's minds and that they see Ipswich is a safe and enjoyable place to spend a night out.

“The posters are going to be distributed to all the licensees in Barwatch who will be putting them up in bars, pubs and clubs in the town centre.

“It means everybody will become familiar with the SMILE campaign and be part of it.”

Insp Kidd-Stanton said people have been keen to get behind the initiative since it began around six weeks ago.

Although primarily aimed at what police term 'the night-time economy', it is also aims to ease discomfort among shoppers and businesses concerned about street-drinking during the day.

Through the summer, work has been going on to address this issue.

Insp Kidd-Stanton said: “The feedback has been really positive so far. We have had a good response from licensees. They feel very much that police and the authorities are working with them to try to promote common interests.”

or write to 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN>