Blitz on brawlers pays off (From Stroud News and Journal)

Blitz on brawlers pays off

A police crackdown on thugs in Stroud town centre is reaping rewards after nine young men appeared before magistrates to face charges of brawling.

The area around King Street has become a flashpoint for late-night violence as weekend revellers emerge from nightclubs and gather to buy food and queue for taxis.

On Friday, three men pleaded guilty to affray or assault charges and six more were brought to court as Stroud magistrates heard of four separate fights in the area.

Inspector Nick Holmes, of Stroud police, said his officers were winning the fight against violent crime.

Offences, he said, had dropped by half in the last month following police efforts to rid the streets of drunken fights.

"We have noticed a considerable drop in recent weeks," he said. "Stroud has got a number of nightclubs now and I cannot see we will be able to keep it completely violence-free - but the obvious aim is to do that.

"There is a perception that Stroud is a violent place. But we are quite robust on it."

He added that the recent police anti-thuggery drive Operation Springboard - which netted seven arrests over the May Bank Holiday weekend - had also helped reduce violent crime.

As part of their bail conditions, these offenders were given curfews banning them from stepping out after 9pm, reducing the chances of further late-night brawls.

Town centre manager Vicky Hancock said the solution lay in getting clubbers home and away from the town more quickly, before fights could develop.

"When people are queuing for taxis and kebabs then any tensions from within the clubs can find an outlet," she said.

She added that a recent footfall study showed more young men gather in the town centre than young women at weekends, and said more young women could have a positive effect.

She said: "Having more women around does tend to make men behave more sensibly."

The men who appeared in court were:

* Jonathan Cook, 21, from Waterloo Street, Cheltenham. He pleaded guilty to affray and obstructing police after he was caught fighting a man in King Street and then struggling with officers on Friday, April 29. He was given 70 hours community service and ordered to pay £40 legal costs. * Oliver Pritchard, 22, from Spinning Wheel Close, Cashes Green. He pleaded guilty to assault after CCTV cameras spotted him appearing to headbutt a man in King Street in November last year. He was due to be sentenced yesterday (Tuesday, July 5). * Ashley Walker, 18, of Tredworth, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to affray after kicking a man on the floor in what prosecutor David Nicholas described as a 'melee' involving at least seven fighters in the early hours of Saturday, April 30. Two other men, Field Road resident Sean Morris, 19, and Springfield Road resident Daniel Smith, 19, have yet to enter pleas in relation to the incident. Walker received 40 hours community service and was ordered to pay £40 costs. * Another four men, one of whom is just 17, were due to appear before magistrates charged with affray after they were allegedly involved in an incident on Sunday, May 1. Their case was adjourned until later this month.

ENDS 517 words ws