Banned from one – banned from all

Pub licensees in Widnes have stepped up their campaign to ensure their customers can enjoy a safe, pleasant night out in the town.

All the licensees are signed up to Widnes Pub Watch and have adopted a ‘Banned from one – banned from all’ concept to deal with anti-social behaviour.

This follows the successful ‘zero tolerance’ campaign in the run up to Christmas which members of Pub Watch, Cheshire Police and Halton Borough Council are fully committed to continuing.

The small minority of unruly customers  who were spoiling the evening of others will now learn that pubs will not be subjected to their behaviour any longer. With all venues now on board with Pub Watch, any bans will mean that these individuals will not be able to go out for a drink in Halton as it will be enforced by all members.

All the licensees have joined a Pub Watch Whatsapp group and all talk to each other nightly. They warn each other of trouble-makers being around, if they’ve had problems and asked somebody to leave, letting other pubs know and giving a description.

Since the horrific death of landlord Christian Thornton last year, all venues have pulled together and the reduction in drink-related crime has been there to see, resulting in a return to people being able to have a safe and enjoyable evening out. The two concepts will continue to run in the future and these individuals will learn there is no place in Halton for unruly behaviour.

Cllr Dave Cargill, Halton Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Community Safety, says: “The Council is fully committed to working with Pub Watch and Cheshire Police towards a safer night-time economy. Licensees and their staff are working tirelessly to ensure that their pubs are safe and members of the public are able to enjoy their evenings out. The message is clear and fully endorsed by the Council – there is zero tolerance with regards drugs misuse, disorderly and drunken and threatening behaviour.”