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 Letchworth man found with 'cannabis and bread knife' in Hitchin
- 2 Where you can see the Perseid meteor shower in Hertfordshire
- 3 Everything you need to know about the August train driver strike
- 4 'Grave concerns' over survival of hospitality businesses amid rising costs
- 5 Parents rally as play café forced to close amid major cost increases
- 6 Scoring late makes it feel better than it is says Evans after Boro's late draw
- 7 Vulnerable woman is victim of alleged theft in Hitchin
- 8 Funeral of retired Stevenage school teacher hailed 'a legend'
- 9 Old Town Live organisers 'overwhelmed by response'
- 10 National award for Hitchin property company
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.
