MA Awards Best Pubwatch 2006
Mid Devon Pubwatch
Judges praised Mid Devon Pubwatch for going from strength to strength and pioneering an initiative to make offenders sign a contract in which they promise not to re-offend.
Over the past year, the number of members has risen to 140.Off-licences, supermarkets, restaurants and taxi firms have joined together with pubs and clubs.
It is not just the numbers that are impressive but also the area covered by the watch - 350 square miles, including the conurbations of Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton. Also impressive is the watch's pioneering use of acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs). These offer offenders the opportunity to reduce a one-year ban to six months if they sign up to the contract, provide an ID photograph and don't breach the ABC's terms and conditions.
Pubwatch co-ordinator Mike Sais, left with watch members Louise Reid and Ian Woodberry, says: "ABCs have been very successful. Fifteen people have signed up and, so far, only two people have broken their contracts."
