Licensed premises and police officers are working closely together with the formation of two new Pub Watch initiatives in the Highlands.
The schemes in Badenoch & Strathspey and Nairn will involve licensees from across both areas, as well as input from local police officers.
The aim of Pub Watch is to provide a means of sharing details of unacceptable behaviour across all of the licensed premises involved.
Individual managers will retain the power to exclude people from their premises – but the scheme will allow serious breaches such as assaulting staff or customers, misuse of drugs or damaging property to be dealt with by all of the pubs involved.
Aviemore-based Sergeant Craig Johnstone said: “We have long enjoyed a good working relationship with licensed premises in Badenoch and Strathspey.
“Local licensees are keen to ensure that their businesses are a safe environment for staff and customers alike and Pub Watch will help maintain that.
“Police Scotland will work with those involved in the scheme to make sure that unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with appropriately.
“Anything found to be criminal in nature will be robustly dealt with as normal, while Pub Watch will also mean that anyone acting anti-socially or in a threatening manner will be liable to be excluded from premises across Badenoch and Strathspey.”
Sergeant Steven MacLennan will host the first meeting in Nairn.
He added: “We are confident that this scheme will help maintain the area’s reputation as a welcoming place to socialise, whether you are a resident, a visitor or work in a licensed premise.”
The Nairn group will meet for the first time on Friday at 6pm at Nairn Police Station.
The Badenoch & Strathspey Pub Watch will be meeting at Aviemore Police Station at 6pm next Thursday.
