Night time marshalls to help '˜vulnerable' pubgoers in Northampton town centre

Bridge Street in Northampton is one of the places a new set of street marshalls are expected to patrol this weekend.

Northampton Borough Council has employed four marshalls who they say will “provide an extra level of support to agencies whose role is to promote safety in the town’s night-time economy,” such as Northamptonshire Police, the Street Pastors, and the door staff of licensed premises.

It says the team will work in pairs to help spot “developing issues” and intervene early to deal with low level disorder.

They will also help to manage taxi queues and report illegally parked or ranked taxis.

However the council also says the marshalls will be on hand to “ensure assistance is given to any vulnerable people in the town centre” and will have links to the town’s CCTV control room.

Their patrol area will take them from Wellingborough Road into the town centre, through Abington Street, St Giles Street and Bridge Street as well as All Saints, the Drapery, Gold Street and College Street.

The council now intends to deploy the new team at key dates throughout the year and will be in effect this weekend - as many teens head into town to celebrate their A-Level results.

They are also set to be out in force on pay-day weekends, bank holidays, freshers’ weekend, Halloween, Christmas and new year.

Councillor Mike Hallam, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community safety, said: “We want to encourage more people in to the town centre during the evenings to visit our pubs, clubs and restaurants and we want everyone using the town for whatever reason, to feel and be safe.

“The street marshalls will be very visible and will provide extra reassurance to help make a night out in Northampton as pleasant, comfortable and safe as possible.”

Chris Barker, the project manager for Northampton Town Centre BID, added: “We are confident that the street marshalls will further improve the town centre experience for visitors and business alike, and look forward to seeing them in place.”

The move by Northampton Borough Council comes just a fortnight after the conviction of Edward Tenniswood over the rape and murder of India Chipchase, a young woman he had met outside a nightclub in Bridge Street and taken to his home.