Pubwatch scheme award
Last updated 19:24, Thursday, 20 November 2008
WEST Cumbria Pubwatch has received a national accolade for reducing violent crime and anti-social behaviour.
Inspector Joe Murray and Pubwatch co-ordinator Lisa Elder travelled to London to receive a “highly commended” award as part of the Responsible Drinks Retailing Police Champions of the Year Awards.
Inspector Joe Murray, of West Cumbria Police Community Safety Department, said: “The Pubwatch Scheme has over 300 members across West Cumbria and this nomination was recognition of the hard work by everyone involvedinvolved in driving down serious violent crime and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol.
“Pubwatch is a deterrent designed to focus the minds of those people most at risk of being involved in alcohol-related, violent or anti-social incidents; it influences their behaviour with the threat of exclusion from licensed premises and the impact on their social life as a direct result of this.
“There is now no hiding place for anyone who is violent or anti-social in West Cumbria pubs.”
Since last year violent crime in West Cumbria has been reduced by nearly 12 per cent., assaults with injury have reduced by nearly 24 per cent, while violent crime in licensed premises has been reduced by 29 per cent.
The award was sponsored by national licensing publication The Morning Advertiser and Off Licence News and presented by MP Gerry Sutcliffe, from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
