BBN Dundee wins BII Scotland Social Responsibility Award

Best Bar None scoops national award

A DUNDEE scheme which has helped cut night time crime by almost two thirds in recent years has picked up a national award.

Best Bar None topped the social responsibility class at the recent British Institute of Innkeeping Scotland annual awards.

The scheme triumphed over stiff competition from two other finalists in the prestigious social responsibility category, presented in association with the Security Industry Authority.

Bailie Rod Wallace, convener of Dundee City Council's licensing board said: "When we set up Best Bar None we wanted to encourage everyone involved with the night time economy to work together to make our city a safe place to go for the evening and have fun in well run licensed premises

"By working closely with our colleagues in the trade we are making our licensed premises some of the best run in the country, as shown when three out of four winners in the first ever Scottish National BBN awards were from Dundee

"We have brought down the night time economy crime statistics by 65%, as well as actively promoting a designated driver scheme, ensuring strict noise controls in and around licensed premises particularly late in the evening and we have issued all BBN accredited premises with search wands free of charge.

"Taken together all of these initiatives have helped to boost Dundee's night time economy which has advantages for everyone, so I am delighted that the British Institute of Innkeeping Scotland has recognised this with the award."

Supported by a number of public and private bodies, Best Bar None was launched in Dundee in 2006 to help build on the success of the DUNCAN (Dundee Co-ordinated Anti Crime Network) initiative's work in city.