Behave Or Be Banned

01/09/2008

TROUBLEMAKERS causing chaos in pubs across Carmarthenshire are being warned to Behave or Be Banned.

Dyfed-powys police, together with the Community Safety partnership, is working with licensees to combat persistent levels of violence and disorder.

The Behave or Be Banned (BOBB) scheme bans trouble-causing individuals not just from one pub - but all those in the area that are taking part.

As well as trying to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder in the county, the scheme also aims to tackle underage drinking and the use and supply of drugs in licensed premises.

Any person who commits any of the following offences in licensed premises will be banned for an indefinite period from all public houses in the area displaying the Behave or Be Banned logo:

· Acts of violence on staff at licensed premises, members of the public and police officers;

· Alcohol-related criminal damage;

· The use and supply of drugs in licensed premises;

· The supply of alcohol to children;

· Drunkenness and disorder;

· Theft on licensed premises;

· Sexual offences on licensed premises.

Since the scheme was launched in Carmarthenshire in January, a total of 84 people have been banned.

The scheme focuses on the three main town centres, but is also being rolled out to some of the rural areas.

It includes:

· Carmarthen town – 20 premises have joined the scheme, 22 individuals banned;

· Llanelli town – 10 premises have joined the scheme, 36 individuals banned;

· Amman Valley - 24 premises have joined the scheme, 15 individuals banned;

· Llanelli rural – 34 premises have joined the scheme, nine individuals banned;

· Gwendraeth Valley – 19 premises have joined the scheme, two individuals banned.

A scheme is also in the process of being set up in the Carmarthen rural area in conjunction with the existing pubwatch scheme.

Community Safety Inspector Tony Ward said: “The BOBB scheme is one of a number of initiatives to tackle violent and alcohol-related crime throughout the county and is already proving to be effective in reducing this type of crime.

“It is an excellent example of partnership working and we are delighted with the support of the licensees in the areas where the scheme is operating.

“BOBB is a very powerful tool in deterring offenders, in the last few months there have been examples of individuals who have been happier to go to court and answer the charges against them than be banned from licensed premises in a specific area.”

posters and beer mats, funded by the Community Safety partnership, together with window stickers with the BOBB logo to identify membership are currently being distributed to all participating premises.

partnership manager Kate Thomas said: “The BOBB scheme sends out a strong message to the public that violent behaviour and alcohol-related crime will not be tolerated in Carmarthenshire.”

CApTION: Community safety officer Gavin Lemon at the Boar's Head, Lammas Street, Carmarthen, with Constable Jason pritchard.

picture: Ralph Carpenter.