National Pubwatch announces 'major review'

19-Jul-2024 - Last updated on 19-Jul-2024 at 08:56 GMT

Major review: National Pubwatch has called for people to fill out a new survey (Credit: National Pubwatch)

National Pubwatch has called for people to take part in a new survey as part of a “major review” into the impact of its initiatives in creating safer drinking environments.

A team of academics at Leeds Beckett University have been commissioned, backed by funding from JD Wetherspoon and Diageo, to evaluate the effectiveness of national and local pubwatch schemes across the UK and their impact on crime reduction and community safety.

The research will ask participants, including licensees and staff, representatives from local authorities and police, as well as members of other organisations that collaborate with pubwatches, to identify good practices and suggest improvements to develop the schemes.

Integral work

National Pubwatch chair Steve Baker OBE commented: “'I would like to thank two of our main sponsors JD Wetherspoon and Diageo for generously funding this crucial research which we hope will highlight the importance of pubwatch schemes in creating a safe environment for people to work and socialise.

“We are asking for you to help fill out this survey to showcase all the integral work that pubwatches do.

“With the new Government pledging to tackle anti-social behaviour it will be great to showcase how important pubwatches are in helping to achieve safe, secure and responsibly led social drinking environments.”

National Pubwatch was founded in 1997 with a view to help achieve safe social drinking environments in throughout the UK. It now supports more than 800 pubwatches nationwide.

Recommendations for improvements

This latest research follows a similar study conducted in 2013 which found almost two-thirds of respondents felt their local pubwatch scheme contributed to a decrease in the amount of alcohol-related violence in their premises and local area.

Meanwhile 94% said it was important for National Pubwatch to offer support and advice for new schemes, an equal percentage said it was important in providing ongoing support.

Dr Alexandra Kenyon, part of the research team at Leeds Beckett University, added: “The aim of this research is to establish the key benefits of National and local pubwatch schemes for a range of stakeholders and make recommendations for improvements.

“It will be interesting to see 10-years on from the original research how important the stakeholders involved in pubwatches feel they are continuing to help to create a safer environment for customers and staff working in the night-time economy.”