The safe way to get a cab home in Bristol

A new temporary taxi marshal scheme has been launched outside the Bristol Hippodrome to help people get home safely after a late night out.

Two taxi marshals, who wear uniforms and high-visibility jackets, are managing the queue at the rank on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in the run-up to Christmas and including the new year period.

They will make sure revellers queue in a fair and orderly way, give priority to vulnerable people waiting for a taxi, and ensure people are fit to travel and aren't attempting to take drink or food into a cab.

If violent or anti-social behaviour does occur, the marshals will radio for police assistance.

The move follows feedback from people who say that marshals increase their feeling of safety.

Helen Flyng, project manager with Safer Bristol, which organises the marshals, said: "Our taxi marshal schemes have been a major success in ensuring that the public get safely home. They are also popular with taxi drivers as they can check people to stop those who are being disorderly from getting in a cab."

Sergeant Stephen Bell, city centre neighbourhood policing and licensing sergeant, said: "We all want people to enjoy their Christmas and new year celebrations and by helping people to get home safely, the taxi and street marshal schemes make a real contribution".

John Cameron, the Operations Manager for the marshals, said: "We've always had good feedback from the public and support from the taxi trade."

"At one point taxi drivers were reluctant to go out at the peak times because of the fear of trouble but many have now returned because of the security the marshals help to provide."

This is the seventh marshal scheme in the city. Some services, such as this one, are introduced at traditionally busy times of the year, as a temporary measure, to help manage the increased number of people using the city centre at night.

Safer Bristol is a partnership of key agencies and bodies which has been set up to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the city.