PRESTEIGNE is calling time on alcohol related anti-social behaviour and crime, becoming one of the last towns in Powys to join the Behave or Be Banned scheme.
Licensees from pubs and clubs, and shops in Presteigne met Powys divisional licensing officer Nicola Davies and PCSO Simon Caine for their first Behave or Be Banned - BoBB - meeting this week.
The BoBB scheme sees licensing officers, police and licensees working together to reduce alcohol related violence and disorder in the area. Problem customers are banned not just from the one premises but all those in the area that have signed up to the scheme.
Dyfed-Powys Police introduced the scheme to control high levels of alcohol related crime and disorder at licensed premises, underage drinking, and use and supply of controlled drugs in licensed premises.
John Matthews, licensee at the Dukes Arms and chairman of BoBB in Presteigne, said: “It’s a worthwhile scheme as long as everybody sticks to it in the town.
“Some have been earmarked already. They are nuisances, which there are in every town in the country.
“Anyone banned will be banned from anywhere that sells alcohol in Presteigne. It’s really to make people think twice about their actions.”
At the first meeting three people were put on the BoBB list. They will be banned for a time decided on by all those who attended the meeting.
All the businesses which are part of the BoBB scheme will display a sticker in their windows. The licensees will be working PCSO Simon Caine who will be their liaison officer .
Rosalind Bache, licensee of the Radnorshire Arms, said: “I’m all for the BoBB scheme. I think in a small town like Presteigne there are only a few licensees and it’s nice that we can come together in a community that looks after each other.
“I’ve worked in towns where it has been very successful and it is time for BoBB to be introduced here.”