A PUBWATCH scheme could help reduce nighttime violence in Maldon Town Centre, it is claimed.

Mark Durham, leader of Maldon District Council, wants to see a group made up of pubs on the town’s High Street to help combat elements of trouble.

The scheme encourages landlords to communicate with each other to highlight any issues that arise, and identify any people that may be causing them in order to stop them continuing their evening in any premises.

Mr Durham said: “From my point of view it is a no brainer. I cannot see a negative to it. We have heard from a licensing officer at Essex Police how well it works in Chelmsford.

“I am a firm believer in self-regulation and self-policing. It shouldn’t be beyond the pubs in the High Street to communicate when they have an issue or an incident.

“What is currently happening is they are putting these people that caused a problem back out onto the street and more than likely back into the hands of another licensee who then has to deal with them.”

Pubwatch groups are in place in other parts in the county and work well, with each pub communicating problem elements to each other and Mr Durham said that Maldon would be the perfect candidate for a group, encouraging pubs to take part.

He added: “I think it would work particularly well in Maldon for one very good reason – the proximity.

“You can go between about a dozen premises on the High Street within a 15 minute walk. A lot of them who go out in town are going to walk from pub to pub throughout the night.

“Surely some sort of communication is possible to make everybody aware of potential issues?

He is hoping to raise the prospect with the licensing team following problems at some venues.