Drug dealers found in a West Cumbrian town’s pubs and clubs now face a minimum five-year ban from over 20 venues.
Members of Whitehaven Pubwatch have agreed that anyone discovered distributing drugs in their premises will be barred for five years.
Pubwatch, the licensed trade’s equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch, sees members team up to deal with customers who cause or threaten damage, disorder or violence or other criminality.
Members can vote to bar offenders from all their establishment, which acts as a deterrent to others, while ensuring that troublemakers cannot enter any member premises.
Members also have access to an online gallery of troublemakers via an app and can also submit intelligence and nominate people for bans.
The banning system varies from three months for minor indiscretions to five years or a lifetime ban for the most serious offences.
Sergeant David Macdonald, of Cumbria police’s Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team, is responsible for licensing.
He said: “From a policing point of view, licensing standards in Copeland are high and this campaign highlights the stance the trade are taking.
“Its aim is to remind individuals there are legal requirements the licensing trade have to comply with but ultimately people have to take responsibility for their own consumption of alcohol and behaviour.
“There are always a small number of people who just take it too far when socialising.
“This often leads to trouble which creates stress and even injury for pub goers, pub owners, pub staff and even the police.
“So, I am pleased to see Pubwatch partners imposing robust but appropriate bans, meaning that anyone causing trouble will be put on a ban for a lengthy period.
“People need to have confidence that they can enjoy a good night out safely and responsibly.”
