Appendix 1 Measures taken by the Council in relation to Tennent’s Vital 2014 Members may recall that the Service developed and co-ordinated the No Alcohol On Buses Campaign for last year’s Tennents Vital through a working group consisting of the DOE, PSNI, Federation of Passenger Transport, Translink, Drinkaware, Pubs of Ulster, District Police Community Safety Partnership’s (DPCSP’s) and Doctor Aisling Diamond, a respected expert in the field of medical care for major events. The purpose of the group was to examine the 2013 Tennents Vital event and implement measures for similar future events to prevent a reoccurrence of the problems which arose. The promoter, MCD Promotions, and the sponsor of Tennents Vital made up the remainder of the working group. The intention was that other promoters and sponsors would become involved for other events to ensure that these measures and any lessons learned form part of the planning for all events taking place in Belfast. Some of the actions agreed for last year’s Tennents Vital included:

1. Radio ad created and aired on Cool FM to promote campaign and raise awareness on the dangers of consuming alcohol on buses and the penalty for doing so.

2. Posters developed and displayed on all private buses, Translink vehicles and in key areas, such as bus/train stations, etc. to support the radio ad and further raise awareness on the dangers and penalties for consuming alcohol while on board a bus / coach.

3. Letters sent to each of the private bus operators licensed by the Vehicle Policy Branch. 4. Press Releases from the DOE and Promoter of Tennents Vital to coincide with the event

and further raise awareness. 5. Ticket holders were notified and reminded by the organiser via an automated message

on the dangers and penalty for consuming alcohol on buses and coaches. 6. Some enforcement operations were carried out to support the media campaign on both

nights of the Tennents Vital Event.

Additional measures which Officers also made sure where in place on the ground included a single Bus Parking facility within close proximity to the venue and a First Aid facility erected within it. Outcome Last year’s Tennents Vital event passed off very well and with little disruption or trouble. All health, safety and welfare provisions were complied with including crowd control measures and exiting arrangements. In the lead up to the event there were a number of Councils who supported our Campaign and conducted press releases using our posters as a backdrop. A post campaign meeting was held with all parties present to discuss all aspects of the No Alcohol On Buses Campaign and to identify which of the measures implemented went well and those that could have been better. As a result of that meeting a number of the positive outcomes were acknowledged such as, the level of cooperation between all agencies and their ability to work together to quickly develop and produce a media campaign. Letters to the bus operators also appeared to raise awareness as DOE received several telephone queries from their bus operators and there were 227 buses parked in the bus parking facility compared to 14 in 2013. Each of the buses also displayed the campaign poster. The First Aid facility within the bus parking facility treated 39 persons and helped to facilitate parents/guardians to collect their children. As a result, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

(NIAS) advised that they didn’t receive any calls before or after the event which has never happened before. Through the joint alcohol enforcement operations, over 19,000 units of alcohol were seized. DVLA were on site to conduct enforcement operations. 2015 Campaign One of the main impacts to the No Alcohol On Buses Working Group has been the austerity cuts and the reduction of budgets available to key agencies within the group. This has unfortunately had a consequential impact on resources across all organisations and agencies and has ultimately led to key members of the group being forced to leave it. Despite the efforts of Officers of the Service trying to maintain and hold the group together it has changed the set-up and members remaining on the group. However, Officers of the Service have nonetheless forged ahead with alternative means available to them and have coordinated and organised another campaign, albeit on a smaller scale. The members of the group are largely the same members and whilst being on a smaller scale, Officers believe that it will be more targeted, purposeful and sustainable going forward. Members of the group are Belfast City Council, PSNI, Translink, Drinkaware, District Police Community Safety Partnership’s (DPCSP’s), Doctor Aisling Diamond, MCD Promotions, and Tennents. Building on the success of last year and the resources available to them, Officers have now developed and agreed plans to be put in place for this year’s event, some of which are maintaining and improving upon the provisions put in place for last year’s event, as follows: 1. Posters • We have now taken responsibility to issue the posters for this year’s event and have been

given permission to reuse last year’s poster and associated graphic. A copy of the poster and creative is attached as Appendix 1.

• Translink will distribute and display these within all of their vehicles, including trains and stations.

• In the absence of the DOE, Vehicle Policy Branch being involved with this year’s campaign, we are also in discussions with the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) to distribute the posters to bus operators licensed by the agency. The agency is another arm of the DOE and is responsible for licensing and testing vehicles and drivers in Northern Ireland.

2. Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) enforcement • We are also working with the agency to be able to conduct vehicle and driver

enforcement operations around the venue on each day of the event to further support the alcohol enforcement operations.

3. Information sent to each of the private bus operators licensed by the Vehicle Policy

Branch • This was done last year but in the absence of the DOE Vehicle Policy Branch being

involved, the correspondence will consist of be information about the traffic and parking arrangements for the event.

• The correspondence will also remind them of their responsibilities as licensed bus operators; that it’s illegal to consume alcohol on buses and to inform their passengers of this matter when making a booking for the event.

4. Implementing a single Bus Parking Facility within close proximity to the event site • This is the old Fruit Market site immediately opposite the venue. The ground conditions

on the site have also been improved and purpose made signs will be erected to help coordinate and facilitate parking of the buses and patrons being able to identify their bus.

5. First Aid and Cool Down facility being set up within the bus parking facility • This will be a purpose built unit, which will incorporate and break out area for people to be

treated and recover. It will also be utilised as a safe place for parents or guardians to be able to collect family members. An ambulance is also provided in addition to those being provided within the event site.

6. Additional toilets positioned within the bus parking facility and along the various

routes to/from the venue • This will be increased from last year’s provision and is seen as a fairly simple and cost

effective way of making a difference on the days of the concerts.

7. Increased stewarding provisions, particularly for the Calvin Harris concert • It’s envisaged that this event will have a younger and possibly more vulnerable crowd

profile to the Script concert. This will be increased on last year and is also considered a cost effective way to improve things on the ground and help influence a successful outcome. They will also be responsible for protecting resident’s property.

8. Erection of security fencing along various parts of the routes to the concert venue

to protect both commercial and residential properties. • This was also done last year but will now be extended around the corner of the bridge at

Stockman’s Lane. The fencing will also continue along Stockman’s Lane and Boucher Road into the venue and Bus Park Facility.

9. Additional PSNI teams within the area to prevent unrest and maintain a

precautionary presence. • This was also provided last year. However, this year the promoter has allocated further

funding to pay the PSNI to support the enforcement operations around the venue and enhance the security teams and fencing being put in place.

10. Alcohol Enforcement Operations from some key bus departure points and main

traffic routes into Belfast • This year we will have some additional enforcement and presence at key locations along

the main routes into Belfast. Through our relationship and arrangements with the promoter we have factual information regarding ticket sales and where patrons are proposing to travel from.

• With this information being available, we are coordinating stop and check operations with the Traffic Branch of the PSNI.

11. Alcohol enforcement operations strategically positioned around the venue. • In conjunction with the stop and check operations, we will again have Alcohol

Enforcement Officers positioned at key locations around the venue, along the various pedestrian routes into the concert site and most importantly, within the Bus Parking Facility to seize alcohol being carried.

• We are planning to double the number of personnel and teams involved from last year and exercise the Councils Alcohol On Street By Laws with the support of the PSNI.

12. Press Releases from MCD Promotions to coincide with the event • In the week leading up to the event the promoter has promised to conduct a formal press

release and invite all partners of the Working Group. • They will also do an article within press on both sides of the border and possibly in the

mainland to promote the event but also raise awareness that it’s illegal to consume alcohol on buses and enforcement operations will be in place.

13. Ticket Holders • Through our ongoing working relationship with the promoter they have afforded us

exclusive access to ticket holders and be able to provide ongoing communication with them throughout the duration of the event.

• This was done last year and has proved invaluable as it helped us to promote the campaign and inform them of the measures being put in place against alcohol enforcement and that it’s illegal to consume alcohol on buses.

• The resource will also allow us to communicate with ticket holders throughout and provide them with up to the minute information.

14. Neighbourhood Notification • As with every year, the Service will be issuing a letter to residents which will be done in

conjunction with the promoter and other agencies involved to raise awareness of the event and advise residents of the measures being put in place including details of the Councils Noise Hotline number to contact, should they be disturbed.

• The letter for this year’s event will be issued in due course and a minimum of two weeks prior to the event taking place.

15. Elected Members • As with each year, Members of the Council will also receive a letter specific for them,

which will contain details about the event and advice which they may wish to communicate to their constituents. It will also contain details about the Councils Noise Hotline, should they be disturbed.

16. Community Groups • Each year Officers of the Service engage with the range of Community Groups within the

Belfast and advise them of the plans for the event. They also receive a letter specific to them of key information about the event, which can be uploaded onto their social media page or website for reference and information.

17. Social Media – Twitter and Facebook • In conjunction with the various enforcement operations and plans being put in place we

intend to operate and send regular messages and updates to residents up to the minute information about the event to help ease concerns.

• We also intend to use it to send regular ‘bogus’ updates to ticket holders and anyone wishing to attend about alcohol being seized en-route to the event.

18. Other resources • Officers have also engaged with the various night time relief agencies, such as the SOS

Bus operatives, Street Pastors and management of the ASCERT (Action on Substances through Community Education & Related Training) to provide assistance on each day of the event and help support the measures already being put in place.

IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRINK ALCOHOL ON BOARD A BUS IN NORTHERN IRELAND.OFFENDERS MAY BE LIABLE TO A £1000 FINE.

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