Two men banned from Portishead pubs

TWO men have been banned from visiting pubs in Portishead under the town's Pubwatch scheme.The two men, both aged 22 and who live in the town, have been banned from entering all pubs signed up to the Pubwatch scheme for 12 months.Both of the men's identities have been passed on to all staff who work in the pubs and if they try and go in for a drink, will be asked to leave immediately.Pictures of the men and their names are featured in each pub's staff area - but are not on view to the general public.One of the men was reported to the Pubwatch group after smashing up the toilets at The Royal pub.He pulled the soap dispensers off the wall and blocked the toilets deliberately. He was caught after he was captured on CCTV.The second man was banned after he caused criminal damage to The Albion pub.The latest bans bring the number of people prevented from using pubs in Portishead since Pubwatch launched in 2004 to more than 30.People can be banned for a variety of offences from criminal damage or drug possession.The Pubwatch group meet quarterly and decide if people identified as causing problems in their bars should be banned.The group operate under the national Pubwatch guidelines which advise that people who cause criminal damage or behave violently towards staff should be banned for 18 months.Those caught in possession of drugs can be banned for three years while those suspected of supplying drugs will be prohibited from entering every bar for up to five years.People who cause problems by being drunk and disorderly are also written to by the Pubwatch advising them if their behaviour continues, they could also eventually be banned.Those who are banned are offered an opportunity to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC).Once signed, the person excluded can then re-apply to Pubwatch to be allowed to enter the pubs - as long as they keep to the terms of the contract.Landlords signed up to the scheme also operate a ring round system and inform each other of potential problem customers.Portishead police community support officer, Debbie Charman, said: "These latest bans send a strong message home to people that bad behaviour in Portishead's pubs will not be tolerated."