Off licences to blacklist troublemakers

8:20am Saturday 6th September 2008

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Off licences have joined forces to tackle crime and ban troublemakers from licensed premises in Elmbridge.

Cobham and Oxshott are among the first areas in the country to adopt the Off Watch scheme, which works in a similar way to Pub Watch.

PC Lee Fabry, neighbourhood specialist officer and driving force behind the scheme, said: “I am really pleased that all of the off licensed premises in my area have agreed to form an Off Watch.

“It will operate in a similar style to the Pub Watch, which was started earlier this month and will have the capability to ban individuals from all of the off licences in the area if they commit crime or act in an antisocial manner in or around their premises.

“The message will be if they cause trouble at one place they will be banned from them all.”

Peter Kipps, Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership manager, hopes the rest of the borough will soon follow the idea.

“Everyone realises that alcohol fuelled antisocial behaviour has to be stopped and as a trade they have a responsibility to ensure as far as they can that the alcohol they sell is not adding to the problems by being consumed by underage young people or those who are drunk,” he said.

For more information, call the safety team on 01372 474393 or email communitysafety@elmbridge.gov.uk.