Doorstaff could patrol Falmouth taxi rank (From Falmouth Packet)

Doorstaff could patrol Falmouth taxi rank

8:40am Tuesday 14th February 2012 in News

Trained doorstaff could start patrolling the taxi rank at The Moor after an increase in violence in the early hours of the morning.

The problems have grown since Remedies nightclub closed in November, leading to fewer police patrols in the area.

Now Sgt Gary Watts, neighbourhood town leader with Falmouth police, is looking to introduce a ‘taxi marshalls’ scheme to cut down on the number of incidents.

Addressing a meeting of Falmouth Town Council on Monday evening, Sgt Watts told members the scheme would see two trained doorstaff will patrol the area in high visibility jackets between 11.30pm and 3.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.

They will be responsible for making sure people get into taxis promptly, that they have the money to pay, and also to look after anyone in a vulnerable state.

The University of Falmouth is firmly behind the scheme, offering a ‘significant’ portion of funding, while pubs and clubs have also agreed to help pay for the scheme.

However, members of Falmouth Town Council were more reluctant to get behind the project.

Sgt Watts asked the councillors if they would be willing to help run the scheme, and if they would consider helping to fund the project if they money was not found elsewhere.

Councillor Dr David Sterratt responded: “Policing is a police matter, not a town council matter, for us to provide funding would mean a double taxation on Falmouth residents.”

Sgt Watts responded: “I have to say that is not simply ‘my problem’, it is a problem for the whole of Falmouth, it is happening on the very doorstep of this council’s officers every Friday and Saturday night.”

Dr Sterratt replied: “With all due respect, you are the police, and it is your job.”

The council agreed to discuss the matter when its finance and general purposes committee meets on Monday, February 27.