Description
The Colchester SOS Bus was launched on the 25th of October 2008. It was launched in collaboration with NHS North East Essex’s “Hydrate” campaign, encouraging people to drink sensibly, also giving out free condoms to promote safe sex.
The main aims of the SOS Bus are:
1) To make Colchester safer than it already is,
2) To engage with our communities 24 hours a day 365 days a year,
3) To reduce A&E admissions from the night time economy and ambulance call outs to the town centre by 75%,
4) To reduce violent crime incidents by 30% in 2 years (17.5% achieved in the last year),
5) To reduce Anti-sociable behaviour by 30% in 2 years ( 15.9% achieved in first year of the SOS Bus operating).
The SOS Bus operates on a Friday & Saturday night between 8:30pm – 4am to help reduce the negative impact of excessive alcohol consumption on the night time economy in Colchester. The SOS bus is sited in Colchester High Street outside “The British Heart Foundation” and we provide support and benefits to a wide range of recipients. This project is an exciting opportunity for key agencies, partners, local business and the community to work together to reduce crime, antisocial behaviour and reduce the impact on health services (ambulance call-outs and A&E attendances) and to provide a much needed resource and service to those people visiting, living, studying or working in Colchester.
The Bus is managed by a full time employee (Wayne Powell – SOS Bus co-ordinator) and supported by a team of volunteers. The bus also benefits from the assistance of St John’s Ambulance volunteers. The team on the bus works in collaboration with the Ambulance Service, A&E, Essex Police, Street Pastors and pubs and clubs.
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