Sergeant Sarah Merrall leads the local neighbourhood policing team in West Bridgford and will be out keeping the area safe on New Year’s Eve.
Working the night shift, Sarah will be out and about in West Bridgford and across Rushcliffe making sure people bring in the new year safely and responding to any incidents that come in.
Having been with the force for twenty six years, spending time in a wide range of roles including response and neighbourhoods, Sarah is well versed and prepared for what can be expected on the shift.
She said: “West Bridgford and Rushcliffe offers us quite a mix on New Year’s Eve – we get a good footfall in the town centre and at the same time there are lots of private celebrations in residential areas.
“We’ll be spending time across both during our shift, which runs from 7pm until 4am, so we will well and truly be bringing in 2022 amongst the community.
“Across these areas, we’ll be engaging with party-goers and locals as well as being on hand to respond to any incidents that might happen. In the past, we’ve also worked really well with the local establishments over the course of these celebrations and it’s great that, together, we can help to make sure the evening is enjoyable and responsible.
“We are here if you need us and please don’t be afraid to say hello if you see us whilst you’re out and about.
“We absolutely want people to enjoy their celebrations and appropriately welcome in the new year, especially after last year when this was entirely restricted. But, at the same time we want to urge everyone to be safe and sensible.
“Our advice to everyone is, if you’re heading out, whether to a friend’s or into town, make sure you’re prepared and know how you’re going to get home. This could be ordering a taxi in advance or arranging a lift from a friend or family member.
“If you’re driving, don’t drink. Driving under the influence can have devastating consequences and, especially once the festivities are in flow, it is easy for one drink to become two and so on. Just don’t take that risk.
“Dedicated officers will also be out on the roads across the county, including in Rushcliffe, to ensure that people get home safe. This includes stopping drivers to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“New rules around Covid have also been introduced recently and we would urge everyone to prepare around this as well, checking the requirements for entry if you want to go out and even testing before and after. We each have a responsibility to make sure, for ourselves and our loved ones, that we are doing as much as we can to reduce the spread.
“From us at West Bridgford, a very Happy New Year, and we hope to catch a few moments to welcome in the new year, watch the fireworks and celebrate with everyone when the clock strikes twelve.”
