Hitchin ‘respect’ campaign launched in wake of late night brawls
A "respect" campaign is being introduced, following the brawls on Saturday. Pictured is Clinton Moulton holding a respect campaign t-shirt, with people from other businesses in Hitchin - Credit: Archant
A CAMPAIGN will launch this weekend in the wake of a series of brawls in a town centre, which left doormen, police officers and residents injured.
Staff at late night venues in Hitchin will be wearing “respect” t-shirts this weekend and there will also be collection boxes on bars, following a connected string of fights in the town last Saturday.
The first fight broke out at 11pm outside Bliss nightclub in Sun Street, after a group of men were denied entry following advice from other venues under the Pub Watch Scheme.
Two of the door staff suffered serious injuries in that fight. Two women were left injured after the group moved onto Market Place and, when police arrived to detain the group, an officer suffered a broken nose and another was hurt.
Money from the weekend collection will be split between those injured – many of whom are off work – and Victim Support.
Town centre manager Keith Hoskins said: “It’s all about respecting yourself and others, respecting your town and respecting the staff who are serving you. It’s about promoting that Hitchin is a nice place to come out to still.”
Three men from Hitchin – a 23, 25 and 27-year-old – and one 22-year-old from Coventry have been arrested in connection with the incidents and have been released on police bail until April.
Most Read
- 1 Teenagers demand drugs and punch paramedic during attempted robbery
- 2 Football coach jailed again for indecent assault of boys
- 3 Time-lapse video: Nightingale surge hub build at Lister Hospital
- 4 Trial begins for killer accused of murdering wife
- 5 Joy for residents as appeal for four-storey apartment block dismissed
- 6 Council to build new car park to improve entrance into town
- 7 Stevenage siblings launch funeral fundraiser following Covid death of mum at 47
- 8 ATM stolen during ram raid at Baldock store
- 9 Two North Herts councillors sent council tax summons
- 10 'Keep us safe' - schoolchildren's plea for crossing at Norton demonstration
But police are still appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information can call DC Jay Walker on 101 quoting crime reference number G1/13/389, or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
