North Wales pubs get together to tackle disorder

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A rural Pubwatch scheme is being heralded as an example of responsible retailing.Since January, five pubs across the villages of Hawarden and Ewloe,...

A rural Pubwatch scheme is being heralded as an example of responsible retailing.

Since January, five pubs across the villages of Hawarden and Ewloe, near Chester, have been working in partnership with police in North Wales to stamp out aggressive and violent behaviour. If a customer is barred from one pub, they will be automatically barred from all five involved in the Pubwatch for three years. Malcolm Eidmans, honorary secretary of national Pubwatch, speaking at a conference last month, claimed Pubwatch is a "powerful tool" to demonstrate to the government that the industry is serious about fighting disorder. He revealed the latest survey of 58 Pubwatches showed a drop in crime of between 20 to 80 per cent.

Any anti-social behaviour is recorded by the relevant licensee and then presented at a monthly meeting with representatives from North Wales Police. Each case is discussed and a vote is cast to decide who will be barred and for how long.

Peter Sharps, licensee at the Glynne Arms in Hawarden and chairman of the Hawarden and Ewloe Pubwatch, is delighted the scheme has been so successful. "There is a better environment in the pub now. Absolutely. We don't feel as intimidated anymore. And all the pubs are getting busier - busier with nicer people," he said.

He added that although just 12 customers have been banned in the last four months the effects had been remarkable. "North Wales Police have reported a dramatic drop in their call outs and behaviour has begun to improve. Potential trouble makers are aware of the consequences - the scheme is a warning."

Jean Ryan, licensee at the Bluebell Inn in Hawarden, one of the five Pubwatch pubs, agreed the scheme had been a success. "Pubwatch certainly seems to have got rid of all the idiots. They've either calmed down or drifted off somewhere else."

PC Pete Edwards, community beat manager in Hawarden, expressed his gratitude to the licensees for all their hard work. "The enthusiasm from the licensees has been fantastic," he said.

Pictured: Peter Sharps, licensee at the Glynne Arms in Hawarden and chairman of the Hawarden and Ewloe Pubwatch.