Deal’s pub and club owners have had enough with anti-social behaviour from drunken revellers.

That is why they are uniting with a relaunch of Pubwatch, supported by Dover Partnership Against Crime (DPAC).

The scheme will allow staff to share information and images of problem individuals and groups, via radio and social media.

It means that if a person misbehaves in one bar, they will not only be ejected from there but all of the premises who are part of DPAC Pubwatch.

Members including Chris Vidler and Anna Murray from the Lane, Ben Winslade and Trudi Adams from the Sir Norman Wisdom, Paul Blair from The Ocean Rooms and Richard Harris of The Hole in the Roof met for the first time on Tuesday, to discuss how they will make it work.

They were joined by the Kent Police Licensing officer, Deal PCSOs and DPAC co-ordinator Karen Griffiths.

They set out agreements to improve the safety of their premises for the benefit of their staff and customers.

Mr Harris from the Hole in the Roof said: “We just want to change the attitude of the town to make it safer for customers and so people can have a more enjoyable night out.”

Members agreed that in recent weeks party goers in the town have been causing more of an issue. In some instances, staff have felt intimidated.

Manager of The Sir Norman Wisdom, Mr Winslade, said: “It’s time to make a stand.”
They have agreed to jointly ban anyone who is violent, damages property, uses or deals drugs or acts in an anti-social manner.

Kent Police have been big supporters of the scheme and have said that anyone causing alarm, harassment or distress to members will be considered for a Criminal Behaviour Order under the Anti Social Behaviour Act.

Proving they mean business, members have already agreed on the first recipient for an exclusion notice.

The recipient concerned will be told not to enter any of the establishments who are part of the Pubwatch scheme for an indefinite period of time.

Look out for the DPAC stickers in pub and club windows.

If other pubs are interested in joining the scheme in Deal they should contact Karen Griffiths on 01304 218172.
DPAC is also keen to extend it in Dover, if you’re interested call the same number.