Pubwatch urges Straw to get tough on pub thugs

National Pubwatch chairman Steve Baker has urged Justice Secretary Jack Straw to get tougher on thugs who assault licensees when reviewing how cases are handled by police.

In a letter to the Justice Ministry, seen by the MA, Baker welcomed Straw's decision to review how assault cases are dealt with out of court. But he called for the review to include common assaults as well as more violent offences.

"There appears to be a perception that the review process will only concentrate on what has been recorded as a serious violent assault," said Baker.

"I believe this would be a mistake as many offences may be initially recorded by the police as a common assault but the impact on the victim might be much more serious than first presented.

"This would mean police-administered cautions could still cause problems."

National Pubwatch is campaigning for tougher action against thugs through its Court not Caution campaign.

*There are still spaces available at National Pubwatch's Annual Conference on 9 February. Speakers include Commander Simon O'Brien of the Association of Chief Police Officers. See www.nationalpubwatch.org.uk​for more information.