15/12/23: Story and image courtesy of Essex Police
Essex Police licensing officer Steve Bennett talking with staff at Shakers Bar in Harwich, who are supporting the Pubwatch scheme
As Christmas festivities get into full swing, we’ve been working with Harwich licensees to help keep their customers safe while out celebrating in the town.
The town’s Pubwatch scheme has been rejuvenated, with licensees sharing information with each other and the police.
“The Pubwatch scheme promotes safe and responsible drinking in the Harwich and Dovercourt area. It’s an important alert system for licensed premises to keep staff and customers safe. Everybody benefits.
“The Tendring district is safe but you’re always going to get someone who’s had too much to drink and becomes an idiot for a split second, whether that means throwing a punch or getting into a car when over the limit.
“Pubwatch fosters public safety and supports the reduction and prevention of public disorder and nuisance, which is supported by everybody knowing what’s going on in their locality.
“We share information about emerging crime trends and safety campaigns such as Ask for Angela, where women who feel unsafe in a pub, club or bar literally ask for Angela and staff will know they need help to get away from a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.
“Licensees can alert each other about disorderly customers and, of course, call the police if needed. They can also share guidance and information about what works, and what doesn’t, and promote their own premises.
“All of this means their customers can drink in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Essex Police licensing officer Steve Bennett
Twelve members have already signed up but Steve is keen to attract more. He says:
“As well as pubs, we want to hear from social clubs, sports clubs and private members’ clubs, restaurants and off-licences – anywhere there’s a licence.”
Becky Gawn, owner of Shakers Bar in West Street, thinks Pubwatch will be good for the town.
“We don’t have many problems here in Harwich but it’s good to bring publicans and the police closer together.
“We have regular visits from officers anyway and it’s good for our customers to know that police visit our bar.”
Monthly meetings have already started and Becky adds:
“We’ve already launched a Pubwatch WhatsApp group so we can share ideas and also give each other the heads up about rowdy customers. It’s going to be good over Christmas.”
Pubwatch
Pubwatch schemes are local, independent groups formed of people working in licensed premises whose aim is to achieve a safer drinking environment by tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour and criminal activity and by sharing information between licensees and the police.
For more information, visit www.essex.police.uk/essexwatch > National Pubwatch
If you are a licensee in the Harwich and Dovercourt area and want more information about Harwich Pubwatch, contact any Harwich pub landlord or email Essex Police licensing officer Steve Bennett at steven.bennett@essex.police.uk
