Police urge pubs to sign Publican charter

Pubs in Essex are being asked to sign The Publican's Proud of Pubs Charter to prove their credentials under a new safer retailing project.

Essex Police has added the charter to a list of criteria pubs must fulfil before they can be recognised under its Safer Bars Accreditation scheme, which is being run in association with the national Best Bar None initiative.

Safer Bars Accreditation is being piloted at six pubs, bars and clubs in Southend and Colchester before it is launched to the 5,500 licensed venues across the county in March. The scheme asks pubs to implement policies in key areas including security, drugs and capacity.

The Publican launched the Proud of Pubs Charter last autumn to give licensees a chance to underline their commitment to trading responsibly.

Sgt Nigel Dermott of Essex's crime division, who is heading the scheme, said he was launching the initiative to "help boost the image of pubs across the region".

"The industry needs to be aware that alcohol disorder zones (ADZs) could be around the corner. And if they start thinking about joining an accreditation scheme now, they could avoid becoming part of an ADZ," he said.

The Publican's Proud of Pubs Charter had "plugged a few gaps" in the scheme, said Sgt Dermott. "The human element was missing, the customer service. Running a good pub is about being proud of the pub, and making customers feeling warm and valued all adds to the overall feeling of safety. "The charter has given a personal feel to what we are trying to do."

The Proud of Pubs Charter is continuing to grow, and more than 500 pubs from across the country have now signed up.

Meanwhile Sgt Dermott reported one of the "quietest festive periods on record" in Essex, despite widespread scaremongering following the new licensing laws.

"There were 120 alcohol-related incidents on Christmas Eve, which is down by half on last year."