Problem drinkers will be barred from public houses across the Isle of Man following this week's launch of the 'All Island Pubwatch' scheme.
Regional Pubwatch bans, which have prevented banned drinkers returning to any pub in the towns or villages where they were banned, have proved successful in recent years.
However, the introduction of All Island Pubwatch means a drinker barred for the most serious offences, such as violence on licensed premises, may find themselves banned from all Pubwatch pubs.
Bill Malarkey MHK, Department of Home Affairs member responsible for the Drug and Alcohol Strategy, said, "I want to congratulate Pubwatch members for coming together and agreeing to this all Island scheme because it will mean a person banned from licensed premises in any of our towns will find that ban extends across the Island.
"This is another example of the licensing trade working with us, the police and other government agencies to help alleviate problem drinking on the Island."
Subject to new legislation being approved, new provisions being progressed by the Department of Home Affairs will give the courts powers to ban a person from all licences premises, whereas at present a ban does not apply to clubs.
Mr Malarkey added, "The combination of the amalgamation of Pubwatch schemes and the introduction of new legislation will send out a clear message that drunken, violent or socially unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated."
Steve McDowell, Bar Manager at Sam Webb's (Douglas), is Chairman of All Island Pubwatch.
He commented, "We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun but if somebody commits a serious offence on licensed premises then we want to protect our members, who represent every pub on the Island.
"Previously, people barred in their local area would go to another part of the Island to carry on drinking. This new all Island Pubwatch committee means we can extend the ban."
The process will be that a member can nominate someone banned in one of the regions to receive an all-Island Pubwatch ban.
The person concerned will be given opportunity to make representations why they should not be banned by All Island Pubwatch, and that will be considered by the Pubwatch committee when making the decision.
The development has won support from the police. Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts said, "If there is any lingering doubt that the Isle of Man has a mature, responsible licensing trade, the launch of the All Island Pubwatch scheme should help convince the sceptics.
"Steve McDowell and his colleagues deserve praise for what they seeking to accomplish. This initiative makes it very clear: misbehave or break law and you will face being banned from pubs across the Island."
All Island Pubwatch bans will become effective after each monthly meeting of the committee.
Pictured: (seated, l-r) Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts, PC Darren Bradford, Sergeant Steve Maddocks of the Police Alcohol Unit, Chairman Steve McDowell and Bill Malarkey MHK; (standing, l-r): Pubwatch members Kevin Shannon, Harry Creevy, Trevor Latus and Inspector Ken Kneale.
