A SCHEME to end violence and aggravation in Malvern's pubs has gained concerted support from a majority of local licensees following a second attempt to launch the initiative.

Nineteen out of a possible 30 landlords turned up to a meeting at Malvern police station last Thursday (September 13) to hear more about the Pubwatch scheme, being set up by PC Dilip Sarkar, beat manager for Malvern Link, Trinity, Madresfield and Newlands.

That compared to just eight landlords who turned up to an initial meeting, on August 30.

It was the poor attendance at the first meeting that prompted PC Sarkar to try and relaunch the scheme.

"The response we had this time was very, very positive," he said.

"We had the majority of landlords there and several of the others who did not attend sent their apologies and indicated their willingness to join the scheme.

"Everyone who was there was enthusiastic about the scheme and keen to make it work.

"We don't have that much trouble in Malvern but I want to try and make sure we don't have any at all."

Under the scheme, anyone misbehaving in one pub will have an "exclusion order" immediately taken out against them, meaning they will not be admitted to any other Malvern pub.

The Crown Prosecution Service is currently drawing up documentation for each licensee to sign, which will enable them to circulate photographs and identities of offenders.

PC Sarkar hopes the scheme will be fully operational by the end of October, in time to launch a publicity campaign before Christmas.

"Eventually, I would like to extend the scheme to all licensed premises in Malvern, including restaurants and off-licences," he said.