The list of shame

Jenny Foulds • Published 13 Oct 2009 09:00

Rowdy drinkers barred from pubs

ROWDY pub punters who attack and abuse bar staff and fellow drinkers will face a life ban from the area's watering holes, police have warned.

The tough stance comes after the list of shamed pub-goers who have already been barred from the majority of watering holes across Dumbarton rose to 29.

Five of those drinkers are now prohibited from setting foot in any of the pubs again for the rest of their life under the Pubwatch Scheme, while the others face shorter bans.

Offences range from being abusive towards fellow customers, to attacking bar staff.

Police and publicans have hailed the programme, which has run for the past two years, as a success, and have pledged to continue coming down hard on any punters who overstep the mark.

Iain McLean is the current chairman of the Pubwatch Scheme and landlord of the Bay Inn, in Bowling.

He told the Reporter: "The main aim of the scheme is to provide a safe and friendly atmosphere for the public to socialise and relax in.

"This in itself creates a safer environment for licensees and staff to work in and makes Dumbarton a better place to enjoy a night out in.

"Strathclyde Police and West Dunbartonshire Council's Licensing Standards Officers have given us great support in establishing and organising the Pubwatch group."

Since 2007, the membership of the group has grown to include a total of 16 pubs and clubs in the Milton, Bowling and Dumbarton areas.

The majority of members are linked by radio and, with the help of the police, share the names and lengths of bans for all troublemakers.

Dumbarton Communities Inspector Ian Wallace has been heavily involved in the scheme since its outset.

He said: "I attend the monthly Pubwatch meeting to give advice on legal matters as well as identifying people who have been involved in incidents within pubs.

"We do not share details of offenders with the Pubwatch members, but we do manage the distribution of letters to those individuals from Pubwatch informing them they have been barred.

"If anyone attempts to enter a pub while they are barred the staff are within their right to ask that person to leave - if they do not leave the police will be called and that person will be arrested."

Inspector Wallace added: "There are currently twenty-nine people banned from pubs in and around Dumbarton, including five life bans.

"The offences they get banned for range from being abusive and generally obnoxious to staff, to attacking or fighting with other customers and bar workers.

"Through radio contact, the pubs can keep one another informed of any disturbances as they happen, and can then make sure that they do not take in anyone involved in any instances earlier that night."

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 13 Oct 09

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