Boozed-up or injured revellers in Colchester could soon be given refuge on a double-decker bus
The haven for nightlife casualties would roll into the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights.
It would be staffed by first aiders, counsellors and looked after by door staff.
A prototype of the SOS bus is expected to start in Southend by Christmas, and Colchester bar bosses are keen to copy the initiative.
The night-time safety scheme is expected to cost £150,000 a year.
The south Essex scheme was pioneered by Southend police, the YMCA and local businesses.
Southend's licensing officer Matt Bell said: "It is for victims of crime and victims in a general sense.
"The early hours of the morning are a vulnerable time for people as there are limited resources at that time."
"It will free up ambulances from taking people to accident and emergency that don't really need to be taken to hospital because they are drunk."
Published Tuesday August 31, 2004
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