Bangor Against Night-time Disorder
The BAND (Bangor Against Night-time Disorder) scheme was launched in April 2008 and uses a publicans established civil law right to restrict entry to their premises to persons they do not wish to serve alcohol. Although the scheme is being replicated by other locations, Bangor is the first to put it fully into action. Publicans are uniting to socially exclude trouble makers convicted of assaults, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.
Since its launch a total of six individuals have been BAND from participating premises, highlighting that Bangor Town Centre no longer has the negative image attached during it the 1990’s.
Under the scheme publicans will vote to serve “exclusion orders” on individuals convicted of a range of offences in and around the town centre pubs. The scheme will be expanded to include off sales, restaurants and taxi companies in the coming year with support from the North Down Community Safety Partnership.
Individuals convicted of certain acts such as assault and criminal damage will receive an order from the PSNI advising them that they have been banned from all town centre licensed premises for a period as decided by the collective group of publicans. This could mean a ban of up to three years. A breach of the “exclusion order” will lead to an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) being served. This in turn creates a record of the behaviour that will be reported to the magistrate.
The Town Centre Management team carries out the administration of the scheme. Stephen Dunlop, Town Centre Manager said:
“This is another excellent example of responsible partnership working. The publicans have been very proactive in making this happen. Where once we may have had serious assaults during the 1990’s it is now a rarity. Bangor town centre is a very safe place to have a good night out and it all comes down to the partnership arrangements put in place. Door supervisors now have training, they are linked to each other by radio, as well as PSNI beat officers and CCTV; we have a safe zone established at Bridge Street, a weekend night bus taking 150 young people home safely.”
Chairman of the local group of publicans, Martin Wolsey, supported this view:
“Bangor is a different town from the 1990’s and earlier when we had many customers from outside the area. The majority of customers now are local and have their favourite venue that quite often includes a meal. This is healthy sustainable business and we need to ensure that returning customers have a good time but act responsibly.
I went to Burnley with the Community Safety Partnership and PSNI to see the scheme in action and I am so glad that we don’t have their problems. Nevertheless if BAND contributes to making Bangor a safer place I will support it and so far all the town centre pubs have willingly joined in the BAND scheme. Its publicans making a positive contribution.”
