Behave or be Banned

“Behave or be Banned” is the no-nonsense message from community safety partners in Pontypridd, as they prepare for their busiest time of the year.

Partners, including pubs and clubs, are determined to ensure everyone has a very Merry Christmas and don’t suffer at the hands of a mindless few who overindulge in the festive spirit.

As such, a hard-hitting campaign has been launched across all premises that are members of the Pontypridd and district Pubwatch scheme to ensure customers and the wider public are protected and have a great time during the festive season.

The initiative is being driven by the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership, the “umbrella” under which all partners that can have an impact on crime and disorder work.

It has long been recognised that issues generated by the festive period, especially alcohol-related crime and disorder and the personal safety/health implications of overindulgence, require a multi-agency response and commitment, including various Council departments, the police, health professionals and the licensed trade itself, which is why Pontypridd and District Pubwatch is such a key partner.

As such, the above partners have joined forces to deliver a joint action plan that tackles issues and protects the wider public.

Work to prepare for Christmas include:

• Promotion of the “Behave or Be Banned” message – the Pubwatch has already excluded a number of people from every member premises because of their behaviour.
• Staff training and awareness, especially around underage sales, managing potential disorder incidents and serving those who are already heavily intoxicated (We Serve Drinks, Not Drunks)
• Special training sessions with the Council, Police and premises doorstaff to ensure they have the latest information and skills to deal with incidents and protect customers.
• Use of the taxi marshalling scheme to ensure revellers make their way home in a safe and orderly fashion – and that cabbies can earn a living safely.
• Promotion of key crime prevention messages, especially around personal safety, anti-theft advice and warnings around cowboy cabs.
• Continued installation and monitoring of CCTV across key locations to gather evidence, reassure the public and deter offenders.
• Increased police patrols and resources at key times and in key areas – including officers with body-mounted cameras to gather evidence.
• Use of orders banning offenders from all member premises and also town centre shops.
• Real-time communication of issues, problems and suspicious individuals via shared radio scheme between premises, police and CCTV operators.
• Use of plastic glasses to prevent injury.
• Use of bottle-toppers to prevent drinks from being tampered with.
• Use of powers banning offenders from all town centre shops due to their behaviour.
• Continued promotion of health awareness messages, around responsible consumption of alcohol.

Cllr John David, Cabinet Member for Communities and Chair of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are lucky to have such a wide range of attractive licensed premises in Pontypridd, where people can go for a good time during the festive season.

“We are determined to ensure those premises, and the wider town centre environment, remain safe, attractive places for all, which is why the Community Safety Partnership is driving this action plan.

“We cannot deliver effective interventions unless we all work together and we are especially pleased with the commitment and professionalism of the Pubwatch. Members work with us consistently throughout the year because they want their venues, and Pontypridd as a whole, to remain safe.

“But they have stepped up their campaign in the run-up to Christmas and are as committed as we are to ensuring everyone can spend enjoyable, safe social time in Pontypridd.”

Inspector Richard Erskine, who heads Community Safety in RCT on behalf of South Wales Police, added: “We are lucky that the majority of our licensed premises are safe places to visit and we want them to stay that way.

“Partner agencies and the premises themselves put a lot of time and effort into ensuring such venues are the best they can be, from design and infrastructure to staff training and working with the Community Safety Partnership, via schemes such as Pubwatch, to protect their customers and the wider communities.

“We are grateful for that commitment and pleased venues will be stepping up their activities in line with ourselves to ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable festive season.

“We, as partners, and the licensed premises themselves will not tolerate the mindless actions of a selfish few who think it is alright to misbehave. We have already banned a number of trouble-makers and will continue to do so on behalf of our communities, who have a right to enjoy social time in their town centres.”

Pontypridd and Treforest Pubwatch comprises: Alfred’s Bar and Grill, Blueberry Hotel, Morgan Tavern, Kudos, Patriot Bar, The Greyhound, The Tumble Wetherspoons and The Golden Age.