Street choirs to calm boozy troublemakers over festive period
Street choirs will be used to deter boozy bad behaviour outside the pubs and clubs of Cannock and Rugeley, it was announced today.
Singing flash mobs will help to defuse any trouble brewing in the town centres over the festive period. The scheme could also be rolled out to include busy bank holidays and other events that attract large crowds to nightspots.
It has been launched by police and council chiefs to tackle "above average" violent crime in the areas.
It comes after a successful pilot last year, which saw alcohol-related crime drop by 22 per cent on the previous Christmas. Members of Chase Harmony Choir surprised revellers in Cannock and Rugeley with feel-good carols.
A singing group is yet to be approached to perform this year but is expected to be asked to cover the Christmas and New Year party season. Cannock Chase Council leader George Adamson said: "This scheme was very successful and very well received last year.
Occasions
"You can't do this sort of thing too often as it would lose its impact, people would come to expect it if you did it every weekend.
"But we are looking at it for special occasions like bank holidays, when there are more people out and about than usual and a greater chance of trouble.
"I think it works because it puts people in a good mood, it also takes them by surprise and diverts them from something they shouldn't be doing."
While Chase Harmony volunteered for its role last year, a "small amount" of funding is available if chiefs decide to commission groups. Latest figures show violent crime with injury is falling in Staffordshire.
However a report prepared by safety commissioner Mick Harrison states that "comparing against other force areas, we still have above average levels of violence".
