Safe Zone, Volunteers To Help Curb Sydney's Nightlife Violence

A new safe zone and volunteers program will be introduced into Sydney's nightlife tonight, in a bid to crack down on alcohol and drug-related incidents and violence.

Safe Space and the Take Kare Ambassadors are intitiatives of Ralph and Kathy Kelly, the parents of Thomas Kelly, who died in 2012 after being randomly punched in Kings Cross on a night out with friends.

The Safe Space will be located in Sydney Square, next to Town Hall and, with the help of the volunteers, will provide water, first aid, phone access, transport info and general advice and support to people in need, particularly those under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Take Kare Ambassadors will also patrol the streets of Sydney, offering help and support where needed.

"There are currently no prevention services in place to assist young people who are ejected from venues due to being too intoxicated, and they can end up on the street in a vulnerable state with the potential of becoming either a victim or an offender," said Ralph Kelly.

"Tonight all that changes."

The program will run on a trial basis for the next three months, between 10pm and 4am every Friday and Saturday night, with the NSW government putting $30,000 into it, along with $40,000 from the City Of Sydney council.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore added: "It’s vital that we do everything we can to calm Sydney’s streets and curb alcohol-related violence."

Earlier this year, the government introduced the 1:30am lockout laws to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents occuring in the Sydney CBD. The curfew will be lifted to 3am for this NYE.