POLICE and licensees have joined forces to set up a new pub watch scheme in Nailsea. The inaugural meeting of the new scheme was held at Braggs in

POLICE and licensees have joined forces to set up a new pub watch scheme in Nailsea.The inaugural meeting of the new scheme was held at Braggs in the High Street with all 16 pubs in the area signing up.Police community support officer Melanie Downton, who has been co-ordinating the pub watch scheme, said: "There has been tremendous interest in the new scheme and we hope it will go from strength to strength."Good working relationships have been established during the last 12 months following the introduction of new licensing laws. This has involved the police working in close co-operation with those running public houses and other premises requiring a licence."This seems a natural transition and will complement other pub watch schemes which have been set up in the northern part of the district in the last 18 months."The pub watch group will be headed up by chairman Richard Beaton from Braggs. Mr Beaton said: "It is felt that it is important for the owners of pubs in the Nailsea area to have a joint voice and to confirm that they will not tolerate antisocial behaviour of any kind."It will also confirm that a ban from one pub is a ban from all the pubs in the Nailsea area who are part of this scheme."Pub watch will also provide us with a useful regular forum to discuss issues which affect all members and also provide a platform for licensees to raise concerns and issues.