Nowhere to hide for rowdy boozers (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Nowhere to hide for rowdy boozers

ROWDY trouble makers will have nowhere to hide thanks to a new project spearheaded by pub landlords.

Members of Cirencester's Behave or be Banned Scheme (BOBS) have persuaded police to let them have photographs of unruly customers who have been banned from their premises.

Under the BOBS scheme customers can be banned for bad behaviour or committing a drink related criminal offence.

Bans can be from three to 12 months depending on the seriousness of the offence and warning letters can be sent out for minor problems.

Troublemakers are initially given a temporary ban which is reviewed at a monthly BOBS meeting to decide on final action.

Now police will issue licensees with photographs of banned customers.

BOBS chairman Roy Cordon, landlord of the White Lion in Cirencester, said: "We have just got the go ahead for licensees and their staff to see the photographs of the people who have been banned so there is no mix up and they know who the people are.

"The photographs will only be available to the licensees and staff.

"We're really pleased with the scheme. It's been very successful.

"Now that the public are aware of it they think twice about causing problems in our pubs."

Police spokesman Steve Partridge said legal issues had held up the introduction of photographs but these had now been resolved.

He said the photos should be available to licensees by the end of March.

The BOBS scheme, which is supported by police, was set up last June and has since expanded to include Fairford, Lechlade and Tetbury.

So far eight drinkers have been banned from the 55 licensed premises taking part.