Joint bid to tackle yobs

Licensees and police in Poulton-le-Flyde, Lancashire, have joined forces to crack down on trouble-makers in the town. The scheme means drinkers must behave in pubs, clubs and restaurants or face a potential life ban from all local licensed premises and taxi services. Under the project, being led by Poulton Licensees Forum, anyone arrested by police for causing damage, violence or rowdy behaviour faces a ban. Bar and club owner Paul Mellor, who is one of the leading figures behind the scheme, said: troublemakers would "effectively be drummed out of town". "The lengths of ban will vary depending on the seriousness of the offence, from a minimum six months to a possible lifetime ban," he explained. "This will send a clear message to any potential troublemakers that the licensees and police in Poulton will not tolerate rowdy and anti-social behaviour. Inspector Richard Debicki, of Lancashire Constabulary, echoed his comments. He added: "This is an important initiative, which we hope will be used as a pilot for other towns across the county. "We hope to discourage trouble-makers from coming to Poulton and ensure a good safe night out for everyone." Pub hit by vandals Vandals caused thousands of pounds of damage during an attack on a pub this week. The Skerne Park pub in Darlington, Durham, was hit by vandals who painted obscene graffiti on walls and splashed thick white paint on the glass of the newly-fitted windows. People living on the estate are calling on the council to fit CCTV cameras to help cut crime. An evening bus service was withdrawn last year following complaints of vandalism and assaults. Darlington MP Alan Milburn is being asked to get involved in helping improve the area. Town fights violence Police are working with licensees to reduce violent crime in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, after a spate of serious attacks at and near town-centre pubs and clubs. In the latest incident, a man was badly beaten by a group, thought to have been led by a woman, outside the town's Courtyard Pub. Police say licensees are being very co-operative in trying to reduce this kind of crime. They hope to attract funding to implement a closed-circuit radio system so pubs can alert each other about potentialtrouble-makers. Police huntsex attacker Police are hunting a man who sexually assaulted a woman he met in a pub. Detectives have released CCTV pictures of a man they want to speak to in connection with the attack in Beckenham, London. Officers say the victim met a man, who may go by the name of Sean, in the Greyhound Pub in Kirkdale, Sydenham. He is believed to be aged about 30, has a London accent and drives a black BMW. Appeal for information Police are appealing for information about a pub fight which left a man badly injured. The brawl started when a 40-year-old local man tried to join in a game of pool with a group of youths at the Nags Head, in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. A youth had a glass ashtray smashed over his head, breaking his glasses and cutting his face. His capped teeth were also broken during the assault. The landlord intervened and the group and the older man were asked to leave. Police said the younger group viciously attacked the man outside. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for concussion and received 40 stitches to the head and face. Raiders flee with haul Two men escaped with thousands of pounds from the Grey Horse, in Sunbury, Surrey, after they went to the rear of the pub and struck up a conversation with the licensee. They stole several thousand pounds from the safe and a £2,000 Rolex watch from the victim's wrist, before locking him in a cupboard and leaving.