EIGHT people have been banned from Biggleswade pubs in recent months. The bans have been handed out by the pub watch group which is made up of landlords and the police. Now the police officer who oversees pub watch in the town says its success has become

EIGHT people have been banned from Biggleswade pubs in recent months.

The bans have been handed out by the pub watch group which is made up of landlords and the police.

Now the police officer who oversees pub watch in the town says its success has become a deterrent against those who believe they can continue to commit trouble under the influence of alcohol even after being charged and convicted.

Pc Ian Wilson was behind the resurrection of the pub watch scheme last summer after it had been dormant for several years.

"It was needed because we had started to see a rise in problems in pubs and I felt the best way to try and stop it was for the scheme to start again," said Pc Wilson.

"I had great support from all the landlords in Biggleswade - we have 15 pubs in the town - so the scheme is working superbly and people have been banned.

"Eight people have been banned in the eight months pub watch has been back up and running and the message has certainly got around among drinkers that violent behaviour in pubs towards staff, other members of the public or police will not be tolerated.

"If caught and prosecuted for these offences people will be banned for a year from every pub in the town."

When the pub watch team meets each month incidents are discussed and if a person has been in court for an offence committed in a public house they are automatically banned from every pub in the town.

Their pictures are also distributed to every pub in Biggleswade along with their conviction to licensees who can instantly recognise troublemakers and alert staff if they try to enter a premises and purchase a drink.

"Once a person is banned from pubs in the town there is no appeal. They must stay away from all pubs for a year," added Pc Wilson.

"This means they obviously have to go elsewhere to drink but it means there is peace in Biggleswade pubs.