Bodycams helping achieve good result

And, the partnership says, the cameras provide an effective deterrent to troublemakers and reassurance to members of the public who simply want to enjoy watching the matches in peace.

The high quality digital surveillance cameras record sound and vision and are fully waterproof and shockproof. They have been purchased using money from the Home Office Night Time Economy grant awarded to the Community Safety Partnership late last year.

Their use is one aspect of a World Cup campaign being run in Bolsover while the tournament is played out in South Africa.

Work began ahead of the June 11 competition kick-off with visits made by Bolsover Council and Police Licensing officers to ensure that publicans and their staff were fully aware of new licensing conditions and of their responsibilities during the games.

Officers from police Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) and licensing are continuing to make calls to the district’s pubs, checking that all is being done to help customers watch matches in safe environments, have a good time and then get home without any trouble.

Extra police and CAN Ranger patrols were made during England matches and will continue during matches expected to attract large audiences. Community Safety Partnership Sgt Paul Smith, himself once a professional footballer, said: “We are fully aware that football matches provoke huge emotions, and we want to make sure, whatever the result, they are positive ones.”

One type of offence that often increases during top football tournaments is domestic abuse and a number of actions have been put in place in Bolsover as part of the World Cup campaign to take account of this.

Counselling sessions are being run in Shirebrook, drop-in sessions for victims are available by appointment in Bolsover and there’s round the clock help and advice from the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 0198 668. Refuge accommodation can be found if it is required.

Councillor Brian Murray Carr, Chair of Bolsover Community Safety Partnership, said: “We want everyone in the district to enjoy the World Cup matches and the programme we are running is designed to help that.

“England may be out of the competition but there is still plenty of great football to enjoy and people can be reassured that partnership members are working together to support that.”

Bolsover Community Safety Partnership’s World Cup campaign will continue regardless of whether or not England progress any further in the high-profile sporting event, as the top notch matches still draw crowds into the pubs to watch them.

Release date: June 29, 2010