A BUS which has become a safe refuge for lost, injured or drunk revellers in Bournemouth could be driving off for the final time this year as the scheme is reviewed.

The stakeholders behind the scheme say they are committed to keeping the Bournemouth Safe Bus initiative in some form - but it may no longer be on board a bus.

The issue was discussed by Bournemouth council’s Community Overview and Scrutiny panel at a meeting last week - where members expressed some concerns about the future of the Safe Bus scheme.

Cllr Anne Rey said: “I, for one, would not want to see the removal of the Safe Bus as I think it would be detrimental to the town.”

It comes after a report to the panel from the Bournemouth Community Safety Partnership revealed that the operations of the Safe Bus will be reviewed early this year.

The Safe Bus, a joint venture between Dorset Police, the South Western Ambulance Service and Bournemouth council, provides a base for officers and paramedics and offers support via its private treatment room, hot and cold running water and heating, and a private area for the taking of police statements.

The service, which was launched in 2012, is based on Horseshoe Common from about 10.15pm on Saturday nights all year round, and also on Friday nights during the summer months, and also attends events such as the Air Festival.

The aim of the Safe Bus is to provide a refuge for vulnerable people over the weekend and help relieve some of the pressure on 999 services.

During the meeting on Thursday (Jan20) community safety manager Andrew Williams explained the review would be looking at the operational aspects of the scheme.

He added: “For example we will be looking at the staffing of the bus, whether we need police officers and also do we need it to be a bus?

“It costs money to maintain the vehicle and keep it going so could we instead use a premises in the nearby area.

“There are budgetary implications for the bus and we are looking at how we would go ahead in the future.

“Certainly there’s a commitment to have some facility that deals with those issues and protects people who are vulnerable.”

He also explained that a number of nightclubs and bars have set up ‘first aid’ or ‘chill-out’ rooms on their premises which could be an option going forward.

Mr Williams said there would be a stakeholders meeting about the future of the Safe Bus scheme and that members of the panel were welcome to attend.