The Stokes Pub Watch scheme, which covers licensed premises in Bradley Stoke, little Stoke, Stoke Gifford and Patchway, is being hailed a success by local police on the first anniversary of its introduction.
According to the Bradley Stoke Beat Team’s winter 2010 newsletter, a total of 28 people have been banned under the scheme in the past year and the number of calls to police from premises covered by the watch has fallen.
The pubs involved in the scheme are:
- The Bradley Stoke
- The Three Brooks
- Baileys Court Inn
- Little Stoke Social Club
- Parkway Tavern
- The Beaufort
- The Travellers Rest
PC Steven Palmer said:
“With all the licensees working together so well we are finding that when there is the odd problem, the troublemaker is usually identified and dealt with really quickly. Under Pub Watch people can be barred for a few months or several years – as well as being arrested and charged to court if they commit a crime.”
Sharon McCalpin, licensee of The Bradley Stoke pub in Brook Way, said:
“I think it’s been brilliant. It’s a good deterrent and I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from customers. People know if they make a mistake in one pub it won’t just be that one they’re barred from.”
“As licensees we’re very united and call each other if we have any issues. We’ve got much better links with the police and licensing authority and the scheme is also helping us all keep up to date with changes in the law.”
The newsletter highlights some significant drops in the Bradley Stoke Beat crime rates with violence down 52.1% and burglaries down 26.1% over the last 12 months, although figures on the force website show that vehicle crime is up 45.8% over the same period.
The Beat Team say they are expecting a busy time at Halloween and Bonfire Night and Police Community Support Officers are planning to visit every school in the area to “advise” the children. They will also be asking local shops not to sell any eggs or flour to anyone under the age of 18 years in the week leading up to Halloween.
Local residents will have a chance to raise issues with the Beat Team at the next meeting of the Bradley Stoke Safer & Stronger Community Group, which takes place on Tuesday 19th October at Baileys Court Activity Centre (7pm start).
Related links:
- Bradley Stoke Police (The Journal)
- Pubs in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)
Just had a look at those Bradley Stoke crime figures on the police website. Number of vehicle crime incidents in July 2010: 12. Didn’t I read that 27 cars were damaged in Bradley Stoke in the space of ten days (10th July)? Something not right there, I think.