Pubwatch under threat from human rights claims

A town's Pubwatch scheme may face legal action from customers who claim banning orders have breached their human rights. Up to six barred drinkers in Barrow-in-Furness have consulted solicitors who advertised their services in the local newspaper. Pubwatch schemes throughout the country could now face similar action from other banned offenders keen to jump on the legal bandwagon. Barrow Barwatch secretary Mike Fallon confirmed this week that his committee was facing potential legal action from a number of banned people. Sergeant Graham Coles, of Barrow Police, said: "A firm of solicitors is representing six people who have been banned by Barwatch. Two people have already appeared at a Barwatch meeting at which they handed the committee letters complaining that the bans contravened their human rights." It is understood that none of the six involved was convicted of an actual offence on licensed premises, although two have prison records for violent street assaults. Fallon said Barwatch had taken legal advice on the matter and was awaiting developments. "We feel our law-abiding customers also have human rights and that is to socialise in our pubs without fear of harassment." Leading law group Halliwell Landau appeared to back the Barwatch stance, saying the human rights convention protected the freedom of "peaceful" assembly. National Pubwatch co-ordinator Malcolm Eidmans said banned people in other parts of the UK had made similar threats before. "A pubwatch is not normally deemed to be a public body ­ I do not think there is a case against Barrow Barwatch," he said. "But this could have a domino effect in other areas unless it is knocked on the head very quickly.