Call for lifetime ban (From Penarth Times)

Call for lifetime ban

TROUBLEMAKERS could face a lifetime ban from all pubs in Penarth under new proposals from Penarth police and the town's Pubwatch scheme.

Sergeant Mike George of Penarth police met with the Penarth landlords at the Railway on Tuesday, to discuss the new approach.

Mike George said: "We are looking to reinvigorate the Pubwatch scheme, which we feel has lapsed a little recently.

"For offences of a serious nature, we would like to see culprits banned from drinking in all pubs in Penarth for life. Although the scheme has been successful in ensuring an exchange of information about people causing problems in public houses in the town, we feel that a hardline approach is the way forward if we are to eliminate this kind of anti-social behaviour for good.

"While many landlords attended Tuesday's meeting, from my point of view, it was disappointing that not everyone was there. At Penarth police we take Pubwatch very seriously. If landlords do not get on board and join Pubwatch, we are considering making a representation against them when their licences come up for renewal.

"This is a very real problem that will not go away unless we work together to take a firm stand against troublemakers, and make it clear that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated. Two weeks ago three people were involved in a very serious incident in the St Fagan's public house."

Steve Dockin, landlord of the St Fagan's and chairman of the Penarth Pubwatch scheme, said: "The Pubwatch scheme has been successful in identifying and enforcing bans on anti-social individuals.