Study shows that local Pubwatch schemes have positive impact

The study, led by Dr Alexandra Kenyon and Penny Wymer at Leeds Metropolitan and commissioned by National Pubwatch, gathered the views of over 1,000 licensees across the UK, evaluating the effectiveness and strengths of the schemes, the impact on crime reduction and community safety and examining how National Pubwatch can support and guide local schemes in the future.

Preliminary findings of the research show that 92 per cent of licensees agree that banning orders are an effective way of dealing with trouble-makers in licensed premises. Additionally, more than 80 per cent of the respondents agreed that the schemes help to create a safer local drinking environment and 62 per cent agreed that their local Pubwatch has contributed to a decrease in alcohol-related violence and disorder in their local area.

Dr Kenyon commented: "This aim of the research is to establish the key benefits of Pubwatch Schemes for a range of stakeholders and make recommendations to improve the Scheme. Initial results show licensees find Pubwatch a dynamic tool which helps reduce crime and disorder and makes their town and city centre safer. This is significant as is demonstrates their commitment to running responsible businesses, being in partnership with the police and local authority offices and banning trouble-makers from Pubwatch Members' premises."

The study has shown that many licensees feel their local area has benefited from their Pubwatch scheme, with one licensee commenting: "The amount of late night crime and disorder has reduced dramatically in the past twelve months" and another stating that their scheme: "helped reduce crime and disorder five years in a row."

Local Pubwatch schemes have had great success with their 'Banned From One, Banned From All' rule, which makes managers and staff feel confident in excluding unruly people from their premises. One licensee reflected: "we can reduce the crime and disorder in our pubs and venues by banning the ones that cause the disorder." A further 70 per cent of licensees agreed that banning orders are viewed as an active deterrent by trouble-makers..

Dr Alexandra Kenyon will present the universities' final report at the National Pubwatch annual conference in Birmingham in March 2013.