New pub link-up targets trouble-makers

Drinkers who cause trouble in a seaside town are in for a surprise when details of who they are - and what they have done - reach other pubs before they do.

A trial is taking place in Scarborough which uses the internet for licensees to communicate and warn others of possible trouble-makers.

Using internet-enabled mobile phones, they can send messages, photographs and videos via the web. If successful, the technology will replace the current system of two-way radios.

Paul Murray, chairman of Scarborough Pubwatch, said: "The phones will be used mainly in the town centre. These are phones where you can video the problems or take a picture which can be downloaded to a PC or to other phones. You can text about any trouble and it goes straight out."

However he added the cost of the scheme could prove prohibitive.

He added: "The radios are invaluable. With the phones you can imagine the cost to transfer pictures. I think it's good and we definitely need one system or the other."

The trial is being backed by North Yorkshire Police and officers covering the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights will also have a mobile internet connection to keep in touch with what is happening in and around pubs and clubs in Scarborough.

Andrew Parkes, strategic director at CW Security Communications - the firm behind the technology - said: "It's great to see the system being used by the town's pubs.

"It will be very interesting to see how the advance image capability, which is so useful for the daytime economy, can help manage problems at night."

The trial will run for three months, covering the busy Christmas period, and drinkers will see distinctive beer mats and posters alerting them that their photos may be distributed around other venues.