HULL CITY CENTRE SECURES SECOND PURPLE FLAG SUCCESS
City partners reinforce reputation of safety and excellence for night-life
Hull has been recognised for the safety, quality and diversity of its city centre evening economy with the second award of a Purple Flag.
The Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) confirmed the award today after assessing their findings from a thorough inspection of the city centre carried out on November 1 last year.
Their report praises the partnership efforts of the various organisations who worked jointly to secure the accreditation, including HullBID, Humberside Police and Hull City Council.
The document also highlights some of the key achievements recorded by Hull Citysafe during the two years since Hull was first awarded a Purple Flag:
• Alcohol related crime and violence in the city centre has fallen at key times, and particularly over weekends, with figures up to the summer of 2014 recording levels around 3% lower than for the same period in 2013 and 7% lower than 2012.
• Falling crime levels in the city centre at these key times are also reflected in figures from by the accident and emergency department at Hull Royal Infirmary for patients with alcohol intoxication issues. There were 7% fewer people seen in A&E for alcohol withdrawal or intoxication requiring hospital treatment up to July 2014 than for the same time in 2013, continuing a downward trend from spring 2012.
• The report also acknowledges an increase in footfall within the city centre at key times, particularly over the last year where figures indicate a rise of almost 10%.
In particular the report praises the “excellent relationship” between the police and the other partners in a “Purple Flag community” which includes Street Angels, Street Marshalls and the door staff at city centre licensed premises.
The report also recognises the “strong presence and ownership” demonstrated by key Hull City Council departments including Street Scene and Public Health and by HullBID.
The Hull Trinity Festival, which is organised by HullBID and brings together top local and national bands, is rated as “excellent” by the report and is credited with prompting moves to change the national Purple Flag celebration from a week-long event into a weekend of activities.
The report says: “Hull are considered valuable members of the Purple Flag family. The application team have a reputation for good work, enthusiasm and are seen very much as Purple Flag exemplars.
“The panel want to reiterate how much confidence they have in the Purple Flag group and that they are excited to see the progress of the City Centre’s night time economy over the next few years.”
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “It was a great achievement for Hull to secure Purple Flag status for the first time in 2012 and we are proud of the city and our partners as we repeat that success.
“So much has happened to improve our city centre during those two years, but while that gives us all greater satisfaction it also increases expectations. We knew we had to be even better this time, and we got there as a result of the hard work and dedication of our partners and the city centre businesses.
“The next two years promise to be even more challenging but also more rewarding as we work with our existing partners and some new organisations – not least the City of Culture Company – to continue the transformation of Hull for the benefit of the people who live and work here and for the increasing numbers of visitors.”
Councillor John Hewitt, Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said: “This is fantastic news and retaining the Purple Flag status for the third consecutive year makes an important statement about Hull’s night-time economy in the run-up to UK City of Culture in 2017.
“It highlights that the city centre is safe and well-run and that businesses are working together with Hull BID, the Council, Hull Street Angels and the police to ensure that people visiting at night have an enjoyable time, as well as a safe experience.
“It is also great recognition of the diversity that the city has to offer and the assessors were shown venues such as the Deep, Hull Truck, Hull City Hall, St Stephens Shopping Centre, and Café Kardomah as well as the more obvious drinking establishments.”
Matthew Grove, Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I am delighted all the hard work by the partners involved in Purple Flag has paid off and the city centre has received the award for another two years. Since 2012 Hull city centre has become a much safer place at night with alcohol related crime and violence falling, which means fewer victims of crime.
“Licensees have also played their part responsibly, and the latest award sets the standard for the next two years as we approach the 2017 City of Culture. The city is there as a welcoming and safe place for people of all ages, where visitors to Hull can look forward to a lively and safe night time experience.” 
Inspector Karen de Braal of Humberside Police said: “We are delighted to have secured Purple Flag status for a second time and it highlights the fantastic work that goes on in Hull’s city centre to make it a safe and vibrant place to visit, work and live.

“Everyone involved in in the Purple Flag partnership has worked hard to ensure we improved upon the massive achievement in securing the Hull’s first Purple Flag in 2012. This has paid dividends with crime levels falling and visitor numbers increasing. We look forward to working together in the future and striving for further improvements.”
Rosie Millard, Chair of the City of Culture Company, said: “Congratulations to the city for the renewal of its Purple Flag status, which reinforces the fact that the city centre is a safe, diverse and exciting place to be.
“Initiatives such as the Hull Street Angels are to be thanked, as are the efforts of the police, but it is clear that this award also recognises that the night time offer in Hull – with its increasing array of new restaurants, bars and entertainment – is gaining strength as we head towards 2017 and Hull's time in the spotlight as UK City of Culture.”
Further information/interviews:
Hull BID: Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager
Tel: 01482 611889, email kathryn@hullbid.co.uk .
Notes to editors
A copy of the national release from the ATCM accompanies this release.
Purple Flags are awarded to cities and towns which manage their night time economy well and can demonstrate they have a lot to offer visitors.
The centres also need to demonstrate that they offer a safe and clean environment for visitors and residents. The Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) allocates the Purple Flag award once a city has met all of their criteria.
Hull was awarded its first Purple Flag after a full inspection in 2012. A “light-touch” review a year later renewed the status and the new award was recommended after a full inspection last November. Hull is one of only 53 towns and cities throughout the UK and Ireland to achieve a Purple Flag. The status has been shown to benefit towns and cities by generating:
• Increased visitor numbers
• Increased investment
• Lower levels of crime and anti-social behaviour
• A raised profile and improved public image
www.purpleflag.org.uk
Summary of the findings of the ATCM report:
• Excellent relationship between local policing and wider partnership bodies. Partnership based evening briefing sessions with representation from Street Angels and Street Marshalls. Good working relationship with door staff and coordination of vulnerability training for a range of night time economy workers.
• Police have an Alcohol Offender Manager. Strong Special Constabulary presence and support during night time policing cover (until 4am). Strong support from Police and Crime Commissioner.
• Strong presence and ownership from key council service areas (Street Scene and Public Health). Street scene have led a number of initiatives including working with chewing gum firms to remove gum from pavements, and “nudging” people to put litter in bins by placing “green footprints” leading up to litter bins.
• Public Health have sponsored polycarbonate drinking vessels imprinted within Purple Flag branding and are represented at Purple Flag Working Group.
• Innovative plans for city centre redevelopment as part of the City of Culture Public Realm Strategy 2017, include alternative uses of space and public buildings, lighting, and shaping as a European destination.
• BID fund a number of key community safety initiatives that lean towards night time economy such as street wardens and the deployment of mini CCTV systems in a number of city centre shops and businesses
• Good use of local theatres which remain open until late across the week and weekend. This includes a music educational hub.
•  Street Angels work tirelessly on a voluntary basis. Also like the idea of placing wristbands on those they have helped through the course of any one night (wristbands have the details of the Street Angels on them).
• Good media profiles (recent and historic) of Purple Flag celebration, awareness, and link/support to Hull’s achievement of City of Culture 2017.