EFFORTS by licensees in Newton Aycliffe to unite against violence in their premises have proved a resounding success.

The formation of Newton Aycliffe Pub and Club Watch two years ago has resulted in a large fall in the number of reported incidents of violence in licensed premises in the town.

Figures for the first year saw no change, but the number of reported incidents in the second year fell by 42 per cent.

Since its inception, 35 people have received bans of between six months and a year.

The group meets on a monthly basis to share information.

Members are now hoping to be able to use powers under the Licensed Premises (Exclusion of Certain Persons) Act 1980.

This will allow the courts to make an order prohibiting those found guilty of violence, or threatening violence, on licensed premises from entering them for a specified period. The purpose of the Act is to protect licensees, their staff and customers from future violence from the same source and deter potential troublemakers.

The court may make orders for any period from three months to two years, and can include all premises in town schemes.

The legislation is already used effectively in other parts of the country, and the Newton Aycliffe group hopes to be the first in the area to apply it.

The area's police crime prevention officer, PC Neil Langthorne, said: "We aim to drive unacceptable behaviour out of licensed premises. The benefits are obvious to everyone.

"The customer feels safer and is more inclined to frequent the premises, the licensee and his staff do not have to suffer unnecessary abuse and, in some cases, assault. This subsequently results in the more effective deployment of police resources."