Pubwatch

Keeping a safe watch on pub life

Pubwatch is a national scheme that aims to achieve a safe social drinking environment in licensed premises, helping to reduce alcohol-related crime. Basically, it is the licensed trade's equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch. Working in partnership with the police and local authorities, it involves licensees sharing information about individuals who cause or threaten damage, disorder, violence, use or deal in drugs in their premises or are a general nuisance, and agreeing on actions to deal with them.

Normally this action consists of refusing to serve individuals who cause, or are known to have previously caused, these sorts of problems. Having agreed these policies, Pubwatch members then publicise them and stick to them. The publicity alone can have a very significant effect on such problems, but refusing admission and service to those who cause trouble has proved to have a significant impact on anti-social behaviour.

All licensed premises in Surrey Heath belong to one of three Pubwatches. These are Camberley Town, which is chaired by Martin Lock from the Carpenters Arms, The Six Villages, chaired by Chris Bannister from the Red Lion in Lightwater, and the Frimley and Mytchett Pubwatch, which is currently looking for a new chairperson.

Camberley Town Pubwatch is particularly active, and police conduct frequent licensing visits over the weekends to ensure that establishments are well run. Each month, licensees of the town's pubs and clubs meet with the police to discuss an array of issues. This can include upcoming events, initiatives to combat crime and disorder, licensing matters and persistent offenders and banning notices. Should someone be nominated for a Pubwatch ban, and it is supported by Pubwatch members, the names, addresses and photographs of those listed as banned from entering pubs and clubs are then circulated to other members. The introduction of a radio link with all Pubwatch members means that any disturbance can be instantly communicated to others and any potential problem can be resolved quickly.

An on-going survey of Pubwatch schemes in the UK, carried out by National Pubwatch, shows that in some cases crime and disorder, not just in the premises but in the local area, has reduced by between 20 per cent and 80 per cent where steps have been taken to evaluate the impact of the scheme. The general average is 45 to 55 per cent reduction.

Pubwatch is a great example of partnership working, bringing together the business community and local enforcement agencies to help residents and visitors to Surrey Heath enjoy a drink in a safe environment.

Visit National Pubwatch - www.nationalpubwatch.org.uk Opens in a new window