Behave or Be Banned
Operators and managers of bars, pubs and nightclubs have always
been able to refuse entry to problematic people.
Behave Or Be
Banned (BOBB) is a scheme through which Pubwatch groups can work
in partnership with police to make the process more
effective.
BOBB was originally a police initiative but it is now owned and
operated by Pubwatch groups, supported by the police when operated
within the terms of a formal
protocol.
Under the scheme a Pubwatch committee might ban an individual from
entering one of their members' venues for up to two
years.
If a Pubwatch asks them to do so the police can issue Interim
Banning Notices on their behalf to people that have been arrested
for certain offences committed in connection with licensed
premises.
At the end of November 2011 there were nearly 600 licensed
premises involved with an Essex BOBB scheme and more than 300
people were subject of a current ban.
Sgt Matt Bell, Substance Misuse Coordinator at Essex Police HQ
said, "BOBB works. It's not uncommon to see people more
concerned about whether they can get into the pub with their
friends than they are about being arrested.
"Pubwatch members won't tolerate antisocial behaviour in their
premises and BOBB keeps such people out, making it safer and more
enjoyable for everyone else".
Pubwatch
Pubwatch is cooperative
venture in which those involved in the management of pubs, clubs
and other licensed venues work in partnership with local businesses
and statutory agencies such as police, local authorities, fire and
Trading Standards.
Each partner brings its own issues for Pubwatch members to
collectively address, for example for the police it is primarily
the prevention, reduction and detection of crime and
disorder.
Pubwatch is a nationally recognised initiative operated at a local
level according to local need. Each Pubwatch has a management
structure and their objectives may vary from group to group
although in general the focus is on making the use of members
premise and the broader night time economy a safer and more
enjoyable experience for all.