Seven people banned from all Ludlow pubs

Seven people have been banned from every licensed premises in Ludlow under a new scheme aimed at cracking down on anti-social and booze-fuelled behaviour.

It comes after licensees from every pub in the town met for the first time under the town's new Pubwatch initiative.

They voted to ban six people for a year, with a six-month acceptable behaviour contract order.

Another person was given an automatic 12-month ban, said Simon Patrick, Pubwatch chairman and licensee of Ye Olde Bull Ring Tavern in the town.

It's the first strike by members of Ludlow Pubwatch, which was launched last month in response to a number of unsavoury incidents in the town, including a landlord being attacked.

Behaviour

The move has been backed by the police and John Aitken, the Mayor of Ludlow.

Mr Patrick said: "Overall it has been a successful outcome. There are people who have been banned for anti-social and alcohol-related behaviour.

"This is a big step forward. This has never been done before and we think it is working because there has been a big drop in anti-social behaviour since we announced the Pubwatch scheme.

"This is a warning to let people know what is going on. Troublemakers could be banned for up to five years."

Under the Pubwatch arrangement licensees use a "ring-round system" to warn other landlords of trouble.

Police spokesman Maria Wilkinson said: "Police fully support and work closely with Pubwatch members."

Mr Aitken added: "I think people will be reassured that groups like Pubwatch are identifying the problems and dealing with them. It's to be welcomed."

Earlier this week it was revealed there is to be a crackdown on under age drinking in the town.

By Sophie Bignall and Peter Kitchen