LICENSEES are sending out a united message to anyone who uses violent or criminal behaviour in their premises, by banning them from every pub in Ryedale.

Members of the three Ryedale Pubwatch schemes – Malton/Norton, Helmsley/Kirkbymoorside and Pickering – have agreed to support each other in an attempt to reduce violent incidents and criminal or disorderly behaviour in bars and pubs in all five towns.

A “banned from one pub, banned from all pubs” scheme is being introduced and any person who assaults a member of staff, assaults a customer, uses or sells drugs, damages property or uses anti-social behaviour will be barred from entering any venue that is a member of the Pubwatch scheme for an indefinite period, depending on the severity of the incident.

Landlords and the police want to promote a safe, secure environment in all licensed premises to help reduce alcohol-related crime.

Inspector Andy Everitt, head of Ryedale police, said: “Owners and staff working in pubs across Ryedale are united in preventing incidents of violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Offenders should not be surprised to find themselves arrested and charged.”

Pubwatch members use a ring-round system to share information about criminal or disorderly behaviour quickly and efficiently with each other and the police.

The police also provide photographs to assist staff in identifying customers barred by Pubwatch.

Members meet regularly to discuss issues relating to social responsibility and the safety of customers and visitors to the area and will now be looking at how licensees can work together to create an environment whereby all businesses can benefit l Continued on page 2 and prosper by reducing crime.

Olivia Smales, manager of The Yard in Market Place, Malton, said: “It will help all of us and I can’t see a negative to it at all. We are 100% behind it and the training will help staff to deal with difficult situations and improve safety both inside and outside licensed premises for everyone.”

Pubwatch members can also attend training sessions about mental health, disabilities and learning needs to ensure they understand their responsibilities and duty of care to vulnerable people.

The scheme is supported by North Yorkshire Police, Safer Ryedale, Trading Standards and other agencies.

Inspector Andy Everitt, head of Ryedale Police said: “This new initiative will prevent people banned from licensed premises in one Ryedale town from simply moving onto another Ryedale town and continuing to display unacceptable behaviour in and around other licensed premises.

He added: “Offenders will be arrested and charged to court for offences in and around licensed premises and will also be banned from all pubs in Ryedale via the Pubwatch scheme.

“Protecting vulnerable people includes those people who become vulnerable when out in the night time economy and I am delighted that this training package will help to raise awareness of this and encourage people to make positive interventions to support those persons who may be in need of assistance.”