The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Battle lines have been drawn in the war to drive shoplifters and troublemakers away from Spalding town centre.
In the past six months four people have been given lifetime bans and another a 12-month ban from most of the town’s pubs for violence and drug offences.
There are currently ten persistent shoplifters barred indefinitely from town centre shops, with a further four on shorter bans.
It comes as a result of a joint zero tolerance approach being pursued by retailers and landlords as part of the town’s Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes.
Stuart Brotherton, who is responsible for the two schemes on behalf of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We want to get the message across that we will not tolerate troublemakers in our shops or pubs.
“There is no quick fix but by businesses working with their ‘competitors’ as allies in this battle, we will make Spalding a better and safer place to work, shop and relax.”
And he is hoping that the efforts of Pubwatch and Shopwatch, which involve a radio network for businesses to communicate about troublemakers, will encourage more people to take advantage of what the town has to offer.
He said: “Despite all of the things you may read and hear, Spalding is a lot better than a lot of places and it is a credit to everyone involved that the town centre pubs are safe and well-run.
“I was in town at the end of the England football game against Russia last weekend and it was very quiet, with police reporting no significant incidents.
“I hope people will come out during the Euros and enjoy themselves and have a good time, putting money into the nighttime economy’s coffers, but they should be sensible.
“Pubs, I’m sure, will be tolerant to a degree, but they will certainly not tolerate assaults on staff or anyone else, or drugs.”
And Mr Brotherton now hopes to encourage more businesses involved in the nightime economy to get involved in the Pubwatch scheme, including off-licences, takeaways and even taxi firms.
He said: “It is not expensive and on that one occasion when you need it, that radio link will be worthwhile and can be a real lifeline.”
