Keighley Police are looking to landlords in the town centre to make it a safer place at night.

They are planning to introduce a Pub Watch scheme which would provide the final link in a chain of Watches already up and running.

Police have already laun-ched successful Shop, Taxi and Nightclub Watches, which provide them with surveillance and information about troublemakers. If they manage to get Pub Watch off the ground, it will provide a day-long 'blanket' of security for the town centre.

The key to the success of watches already up and running is the co-operation between the police and the community. By alerting the police immediately to any disturbance and installing closed-circuit television, business owners give officers a greater chance of catching and prosecuting abusive individuals. Police also believe uniting the landlords will provide them with shared knowledge of well-known troublemakers.

Det Chief Insp Phil Read told Keighley and Ilkley Crime Prevention Panel the aim of the project was to create a 'safer environment' for local people.

He said: "The idea of all the watches it to provide a blanket of security throughout the day, and a Pub Watch would help to create a safer environment in the evening."

Det Chief Insp Read also talked about the importance of closed-circuit television, and stressed the need to maintain taped evidence properly so it can be used effectively for prosecution in court.

Graham Howell is landlord of the Grinning Rat pub in Church Street. He believes the scheme would find favour with publicans in the town centre. He says: "As owners of the Rat Trap we have been part of the Club Watch scheme for some time and it has been a great success. I think it would make sense to extend it to pubs."

This view is echoed by Jeff Eggett, landlord of the Star in North Street. He says: "I think it sounds like a good idea. I believe it would have some effect in stopping troublemakers in town centre pubs."

Pub Watch is still in the planning stages, and much will depend on the interest shown by town centre landlords.

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