Thornbury Pubwatch

Yesterday the Gazette published the news that a number of Thornbury pubs are involving themselves in a scheme to combat alcohol-related violent crime.

The Pubwatch scheme is based on a three-strikes system in an attempt to get licensees to co-operate throughout Thornbury by banning persistent offenders from using any pubs involved in the scheme. Strike one imposes a three month ban from pubs and clubs belonging to Pubwatch. Strike two is a six month band from all licensed premises in town, and strike three results in an arrest and a possible Anti-Social Behaviour Order, not to mention a two year ban from any premises licensed to serve alcohol.

Acting Sergeant and Thornbury Beat Manager Nail Whyman said: 

"Offenders are initially encouraged to mend their ways by signing an Acceptable Behaviour Contract.

"Throughout the process they will be encouraged to deal with their alcohol and violence problems and will be steered towards local groups and organisations that can help them.

"However, this is not a substitute for getting away with the initial offence as we will take positive action by issuing a fixed penalty notice, a caution or a charge. In serious violent disorder cases we will apply for a court exclusion order to ban them from pubs for up to two years."

While I commend Thornbury's pubs for voluntarily involving themselves in this scheme, I worry that the scheme only seems to be related to violent crime. Any petty drinking offences would be well suited to coming under the jurisdiction of this scheme, but I think violent crimes should be punished no matter how infrequently they are committed.