Over the years I have assisted in setting up many pubwatch schemes and have chaired more schemes than I can remember. It goes without saying, therefore, that I firmly believe in Pubwatch and all the benefits Pubwatch has to offer, and look forward to helping the industry in this voluntary role.
I wonder, though, how many pubs are not part of a pubwatch scheme.
Are you a member of a scheme? If not, why not?
A pubwatch scheme is run by licensees for licensees to assist in reducing crime and disorder in your area. It’s not just about banning people, though. It can be much more and how much more depends on what you and your fellow licensees want from your pubwatch scheme.
Some pubwatches invite guest speakers, some discuss local issues, some raise funds. There’s no set agenda. The aim of launching a scheme is to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder in an area by building a positive relationship between the licensed trade, local authority and police.
Since I first got involved in a pubwatch scheme things have changed greatly.
What started as a simple list of names now sees pubwatches online and schemes joining with neighbouring pubwatches to try and prevent trouble-makers migrating. Pubwatch Online is also now available via a mobile phone, so you can access your scheme’s account wherever you are.
National Pubwatch is a voluntary organisation set up to support existing pubwatches and encourage the creation of new pubwatch schemes, with the aim of achieving a safer social drinking environment in all licensed premises throughout the UK.
They provide assistance and guidance both for people seeking to set up a new scheme and for existing ones.
I am looking forward to assisting pubwatches in the East Midlands in my role as the regional representative. If you are based in the East Midlands I would be only too happy to talk to you. If you are based anywhere else, contact National Pubwatch for the details of your regional representative.
National Pubwatch is a recognised scheme supported by the Home Office. Visit www.nationalpubwatch.org.uk for further details about National Pubwatch.
- Michael Kheng is director of Kurnia Licensing Consultants