Police call for more support from trade

Lack of support for Pubwatch schemes threatens to undermine relations between the police and the trade in many town centres.

The organisation is calling on more pub companies and licensees to commit to make Pubwatch groups work at local level.

The appeal follows stinging criticism from police of trade support for measures to combat alcohol fuelled disorder in Bristol. At the launch of a new initiative aimed at cracking down on binge drinking and violence, Chief Inspector Mike Cox said licensees were not doing their bit.

More than half the members of the Bristol Pubwatch group no longer attend meetings, revealed Chf Insp Cox.

He said: "They have to accept that their business very much affects crime and disorder in the city. If they don't come and take part, it becomes very difficult."

With no chairman of the Bristol group, the police have to organise the events themselves, and the high turnover of managers in city centre outlets adds to the problem.

Malcolm Eidmans, chairman of National Pubwatch scheme, said: "Although it's far from being a universal problem, the situation in Bristol is no uncommon."

For Pubwatch groups to thrive, all licensees in an area need to give their support, with enough serving as committee members to ensure that the group can cope when members leave.

Mr Eidmans added that with so many city centre pubs and bars being owned by national pubcos, head office support for Pubwatch needs to translate into giving managers what they need in terms of time and resources to play an active part at local level.

"Pubcos sign up at corporate level, but their support doesn't always filter down to the shop floor."