Publicans warned to be wary of rogue advertising companies

Licensees have been advised to be suspicious of rogue invoices for advertising or subscriptions following two recent cases.

Police are warning licensees across the country to contact their local community safety officer if they receive any calls or invoices from companies claiming to be publishing a booklet on crime prevention with the local police.

The police are not involved in the booklet and many licensees have been misled into paying money while some are being with legal action for adverts they have not agreed to.

Trevor Bracken, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: "We are concerned that publicans may feel encouraged to take up the advertising opportunity, firstly because they believe it has the backing of the force and secondly because of the relatively cheap price."

In a separate case, a magazine company sent unsolicited invoices to a number of licensees.

The Leisure Media Company admitted that it had sent out invoices for 'Attractions', a museum magazine, to pub operators.

Clive Curruthers, licensee of the Board Inn in Whitby, North Yorkshire, contacted thePublican.com after receiving an invoice totalling £42.

The invoice set terms of 30 days for payment and also asked for direct debit and bank account details.

But company director Ms Elizabeth Terry said it was a genuine mix-up. "The Leisure Media Company confirms that an invoice mailing has been sent in error to a number of pub operators," she said.

"The invoice was for a museums magazine subscription. All concerned parties are being sent a letter of apology and Leisure Media confirms that all invoices involved in the error have been cancelled."