National Pubwatch rewards brave staff

The awards were presented at the National Pubwatch Conference this week in Sheffield.

Bravery & Meritorious Conduct Awards, which recognise individuals whose actions have either saved life or minimised physical harm in the night-time economy, were given to bar team leader Jean-Luc Julienne and pub manager Stuart Richards.

Beth Burns, manager of the Queens Hotel in Maltby, South Yorkshire, was granted an Award of Merit for her efforts to reduce crime and improve community cohesion as a chair of Maltby Pubwatch.

National Pubwatch is a voluntary organisation, which supports over 800 Pubwatch schemes across the UK, and works to promote safe, secure and social drinking environments in all licensed premises throughout the UK.

Jean-Luc Julienne, bar team leader at JD Wetherspoon pub JJ Moons in Wembley, north London, saved the life of a customer who had been seriously injured in a knife attack.  

In February 2023 the customer was attacked and stabbed on the street in front of the venue.

Helping hand

The victim stumbled back into the pub where Julienne ran to his aid.

He instructed staff to secure the doors, call for an ambulance and move customers to a safe location while applying firm pressure to the victim's wound. 

On receiving his award Juliene said: “I just did my duty of care. If I see someone in distress I will be there to help.

“I just did what I had to do and I had to help or this guy could have lost his life. I just feel honoured to be recognised and very humble to have been nominated.”

Richards was working in a pub in Kingston on Thames, Surrey, in July 2022 when he became aware of a domestic incident between a male and female in the venue.

He was concerned that the female might be in danger and followed them when they left the pub intervening when the man attempted to strike the female. 

He also aided police who attempted to apprehend the suspect after he struck a female officer in the face. 

'Very proud'

On receiving his award Richards said: “I was just doing something that I thought was the right thing to do. I am quite surprised but very happy to be recognised and it means more because National Pubwatch is part of the industry. I am very proud to get this award and it means a lot.” 

On winning the Award of Merit, Burns said: “It is great to be recognised with this National Pubwatch Award. Partnership working with other stakeholders in the local area has really worked in bringing the community together.”

The Malcolm Eidmans award, sponsored by Poppleston Allen, which recognises the outstanding contribution made by a police officer or member of police staff in supporting Pubwatch was also given out at the conference to former Police Sergeant David Moore of Devon and Cornwall Police for his partnership working with the trade. 

National Pubwatch chair Steve Baker said: “It is important to recognise all these individuals who have done so much to make the late-night economy a safe place.

“It was a real privilege to thank them for all their bravery and hard work to make sure that there is a safe environment for customers.”