Police hail pub scheme a success

Police are urging more venues to sign up to the scheme

A initiative which aims to reduce violence in pubs and bars has been hailed as a success by Surrey Police.

Officers said 26 venues had signed up to Pubwatch scheme since it began in the south Tandridge area earlier in the year.

Landlords who join the initiative can see who has been barred from which pubs and receive details to help them enforce the ban.

Pc Sarah Byrne said the scheme sent a clear message to troublemakers.

She added: "Those who do commit anti-social or violent behaviour in a licensed premises which is a Pubwatch member should be warned they are likely to receive a ban - and once you are banned from one pub, you are banned from all the pubs which are members of the scheme in the area.

"The success of Pubwatch in south Tandridge is a tribute to the support it has received from licensees.

"I would love to see the number of member pubs increase even further, as there are real benefits to getting involved."