BIRMINGHAM AGENCIES ASK ‘ARE YOU A FUTURE STAR OF CCTV?’
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The launch will include the filming of a drama performance by Birmingham-based ‘Sideways Theatre Company’, run by actor Stephan Bessant. The performance will be filmed in Centenary Square on Saturday 21 April at 7pm. Footage of the performance will be used as part of an educational DVD which will be shown to students in local schools during a tour by the theatre group as part of the campaign. The performance will depict a normal night out which descends into violence when alcohol is introduced. It will see the scenario unfold in a hospital room with the ‘offenders’ being treated for injuries and questioned and arrested by the police. |
Superintendent James Titley, Operation Manager for Birmingham city centre, said: “We are always looking at new and interesting ways to communicate with the community. We are looking to speak to those people who enjoy Birmingham ’s night time economy, who may not see themselves as violent people, but whose behaviour can change under the influence of excessive amounts of alcohol. We want to ensure they are aware of the repercussions of violence.
“Our message is clear; we have a zero tolerance to violence. We have excellent security systems in our entertainment areas and, with tools such as CCTV, it is rare that we do not have footage of incidents which we can use, no matter where they take place.”
The street dramatisation is part of a wider campaign by Birmingham Community Safety Partnership and West Midlands Police which is entitled ‘Are you a future star of CCTV?'
Birmingham City Council Chief Executive, Stephen Hughes, Chair of Birmingham Community Safety Partnership said: “ Birmingham has the lowest overall crime rate when compared to other large cities and has done so for the past year.
"However, we are not complacent and this event is about continuing work to drive down crime. In particular alcohol, especially taken to excess can change people's behaviour and can make any of us violent when not normally so. This film shows how that can happen and how the consequences can have a long-lasting impact on how you live the rest of your life.
“We want everyone to take advantage of the amazing range of entertainment that Birmingham offers, but to do so in a responsible way that respects other people."
The campaign will be rolled out across Birmingham in a bid to tackle violent crime. The posters feature the slogan ‘Are you a future star of CCTV?’ and stills from CCTV footage showing real life incidents which resulted in the offenders serving prison sentences.
The campaign will be seen on high profile ‘bridge banners’ which are situated across the main artery roads into and out of Birmingham city centre as well as on taxis, buses and poster sites throughout the city.
The marketing campaign supports a year long plan of activity by the police and partner agencies across the Birmingham area. Other planned activity includes:
- A civil redress operation which aims at targeting those offenders who are not dealt with by criminal procedures.
- Operation Namely - a policing operation to tackle alcohol-related violence in and around Erdington High St at the weekends.
- Operation Affluent - a policing operation to tackle violent crime, burglary and vehicle crime in the city centre.
- The Birmingham city centre yellow/red cards scheme.
