Paul has been a police licensing officer for over 16 years, working in South Nottinghamshire. He currently works with three local licensing authorities and supports a total of 13 active Pubwatch schemes which provide an effective and comprehensive network.
He has been instrumental in setting up, developing and supporting the Pubwatches and attending most meetings, giving incident reports and assisting with admin issues without compromising the independent status and integrity of the schemes.
Significantly he was responsible for producing a Force-wide ‘photo policy’ in the days when sharing this type of data was considered difficult to manage.
One of Pauls practical initiatives included the production of window/ and door stickers and signs to be placed on lamp posts which warned customers of the consequences of ant-social behaviour. He has organised ‘nights of action’ supporting premises with drug walk through visits, testing for drugs and offering support and advice to deal with any issues arising.
He believes in the benefits of training licensees and their staff and has together with the various licensing authorities been responsible for a number of training initiatives, including providing the BIIAB Drug Awareness Course and inviting guest speakers to brief members on a range of subjects.
More recently Paul has been involved in an effective partnership initiative between Broxtowe Borough Council, police and local Pubwatch to reduce anti-social behaviour by issuing Community Protection Warnings to prolific offenders, which could be followed by Community Protection Notices enabling police to take effective enforcement action for breaches.
Licensee Phillipa McFadden of the Trent Bridge Inn says:
“I have been the manager of the famous Trent Bridge Inn in West Bridgford for 4 years. Paul has always been very supporting of the pub and Pubwatch. We are in a unique position as part of our premises are in the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and we are very close to Nottingham Forest Football ground. Both venues play a big part in our business. Paul is always on hand for these big sporting events and visits and supports us at this time. We are very well served by the local licensing team and Pubwatch which are vital to our operations”.
David Lucas Secretary of Nottingham City Pubwatch says:
“I have known and worked with Paul for many years. One of the characteristics of the County licensing team is their wiliness to work in partnership with the industry and other key stakeholders. Paul epitomises that approach. Within his area Paul is required to deal with a wide range of licensed venues, from small take-aways to an international cricket ground and approaches them all with the same level of dedication and commitment”.
John Miley Broxtowe Licensing Manager says:
“Paul is a shining example of excellence in partnership working and the sharing of best practice. A credit to the licensing team at Nottinghamshire Police”.
Susi Rhodes-Best Nottinghamshire Police County licensing manager says:
“Paul is a passionate advocate of Pubwatch and attends or sends reports to 13 meetings. He has been involved in numerous Pubwatch initiatives and is very proud of the schemes and the contribution they have made to the reduction of incidents in licensed premises. Paul has shown a commitment to the schemes, well beyond the requirement of his role and this is reflected in the number of successful pubwatches in the area”.
