A NEW website and smartphone application has been launched to help pub landlords and bar owners in Leeds tackle booze-related crime.
All pubs, clubs and bars signed up to the Pubwatch scheme will be able to access the website and share information about criminal and antisocial behaviour in real time.
Pubs and bars will also be able to post who they have barred or thrown out and where they may be heading.
The scheme is run voluntarily by licensees and is supported by the Safer Leeds Partnership, which includes Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police and other agencies.
There are 16 licensees already signed up to the Leeds Pubwatch scheme.
The smartphone application will allow door staff and managers to instantly check if someone has been banned from all member premises.
There will also be a real-time communication function where licensees will be able to instantly text each other should someone be ejected from their premises, giving other licensees an early warning that troublemakers might be heading their way.
Coun Peter Gruen, Safer Leeds chairman, said: “The new website will offer pubs, bars and clubs signed up to the Pubwatch scheme an excellent up to date portal of what is happening in their area. They will be able to communicate quickly about troublemakers and make sure they are up to date with what is happening.
“While licensees do not take the decision to ban someone lightly, Leedspubwatch.org will also be a single point of contact for any banned persons wishing to appeal against the decision of their Pubwatch.
“All licensees have a legal duty to ensure that disorderly, argumentative and violent behaviour does not occur on their premises and to prevent the occurrence of criminal offences.”
Superintendent Keith Gilert, who heads Safer Leeds, said: “The launch of the website adds a valuable new dimension to the city’s Pubwatch initiative.
“It will give licensees the ability to quickly access all the latest information and help them work more closely with the authorities to improve safety in our bars, pubs and clubs.”
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