Call the medics! Festive merry-makers will be supported thanks to EC Business Improvement District

An extensive new night safety medical support programme to assist the City of London Police and London Ambulance Service has today been announced by the Eastern City Business Improvement District with the aim of keeping revellers safe over the festive period.

Over November and December, from Wednesdays through to Saturdays between the hours of 6pm to 2am, the EC BID will sponsor and pay for a pilot four-part programme to help ensure that the public’s experience of the Eastern City is positive and safe, while also supporting pubs, clubs and restaurants and easing the pressure of the emergency services.

These additional support initiatives include:

• A Welfare Hub. This will operate in the church hall of St Botolph’s Without Bishopsgate and will serve as a welfare unit where the public can receive medical treatment, charge their phones, have a hot drink and wait for further assistance if needed.  This hub will be staffed by a team of two medics and police officers.
• A First Response patrol vehicle. This will be staffed by a first responder and emergency care assistant and patrol the area. Connected by phone to local licenced premises, the police and private security teams, they will be able to respond to calls for assistance or proactively intervene where they find vulnerable, intoxicated or injured members of the public.
• First Response trained cyclists. They will use bicycles to travel around the footprint ready to respond to any member of the public in difficulty.
• Additional Training for staff of Licenced Premises. In partnership with other City BIDS, we have commissioned the Safer Business Network to deliver a series of Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement training to staff of licenced premises in our footprint.

The EC BID Ambassadors will be walking the footprint, promoting this initiative to our business community.

EC BID CEO Kate Hart said: “We at EC BID are proud to be sponsoring such an important piece of work to ensure our incredible City is a place of safety and welcoming to employees and visitors alike.

“While the police are providing their own additional resources, our input enhances that significantly, especially with the medica provision and permanent hub space during this period. We want people to have a sensational – but safe and secure – experience in the run up to Christmas.”

Superintendent Bill Duffy, of the City of London Police, said: “The City is a great place to visit and we’re expecting this Christmas to be busy with people enjoying bars, clubs and restaurants. We’ve got tried and tested plans ready to be stepped up and you’ll notice visible policing to ensure people have a safe and enjoyable experience.

“We’re very grateful to EC BID for their investment in helping to create a night safety hub and providing dedicated medics who can give immediate emergency care to anyone who requires it. Partnerships with our business community is vital our efforts to prevent crime and bring those responsible for criminality to justice.”

ENDS