Residents and business owners have launched a campaign to save Chipping Sodbury Marshals. 

Chipping Sodbury Pub Watch have launched a petition asking for South Gloucestershire Council to keep funding the Street Marshal scheme in the town.

The Street Marshal scheme - which has been funded by the council for over a decade - is intended to ensure the safety of residents and visitors on a Friday and Saturday night. 

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The role of the marshal has ensured that the night-time economy of Chipping Sodbury is safe for all and gives residents reassurance that there is someone to help immediately if there is a problem.

Chipping Sodbury Pub Watch have pointed out the success of the scheme in their recent letter to businesses where they note that the marshals have stopped unsuspecting women entering unlicenced taxi’s, ensured the safety of individuals in cases of suspected drink spiking and they often wait with lone women and vulnerable individuals as they wait for lifts.

Gabrielle Davis, Chair of Chipping Sodbury Pub Watch, said: “It is incredibly frustrating to see such an important service for the community at risk of being cut.

"The Street Marshals are well known and longstanding within Sodbury, and can be seen anywhere from Bowling Hill to the top of Horse Street and everywhere in between.

"They are invaluable in supporting businesses and provide reassurance and support for residents and visitors alike.

"The Street Marshals provision provides the community with life saving first aid, crime and anti social behaviour deterrent, reporting incidents and sharing information to name just a few."

Greg Gale, Co-owner of The Squire Inn said: “I cannot overstate the value of this service to the night-time economy in Chipping Sodbury.

"In the absence of a regularly visible police presence, the marshals are the only figures of authority in the High Street during the busier evenings.

"I believe that any costs saved by removing them would be outweighed by the increased costs of police and other emergency service attendance that would become necessary.”

Nicolas Bennett, resident of Chipping Sodbury said: “Just after I moved in I had a few incidents of gangs of youths kicking at my front door, police were called on a number of occasions and with the presence of the Street Marshals these incidents have stopped completely.

"The security of everyone in Chipping Sodbury must be the priority at all times."

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “A number of measures proposed are being considered as part of the budget setting process for the coming year as the council manages a very difficult financial situation, common across the country, with increasing costs and reducing resources.

“Since proposals were published last year to help the council set its budget, we have been in discussions with the existing service provider of taxi marshals.

"While this has been a difficult service to recruit to and deliver in recent years, we are exploring alternative approaches that could continue the service beyond March.

“No decisions have been taken at this stage, but the outcome of this work will be presented to councillors, alongside the feedback from our public consultation on the budget, to consider when they make decisions on the budget in February.

“Safety for our residents is course a major priority for the council and we work with police, traders and other agencies to make our night time economy one that every can enjoy with confidence.”

The petition can be found here - bit.ly/3Jjj3mp