Online Pubwatch for Cheshire landlords

A protected website set up by Cheshire Police will allow landlords to log on and view the mug shots of banned pub-goers.

Up to 110 bars, pubs and club licencees will be able to check the website using a password. Once assessed, the site features pictures of individuals banned from bars by police for anti-social behaviour.

It aims to keep licensees in touch and to protect customers.

The initiative has been set up as part of the Halton pub watch scheme in the Runcorn and Widnes areas.

Halton`s licensing officer, Ian Seville, said: “We already have protocols in place which allow the release of police photographs of offenders to Pubwatch licensees, but, with over 100 members, distributing and collecting so many copies is impractical and time consuming.

“This new website means the police now have the ability to post these photographs onto a password protected section of the site, giving controlled and immediate access to licensees as well as helping them to keep in touch with one another.

“Now licensees will have the ability to know who has been banned, quickly helping them to protect their customers and premises.”