HOME Secretary Jack Straw has been looking at Preston's new scheme to tackle violent crime and disorder in and around local pubs.
The Blackburn MP met with organisers of the new PubNet scheme at the Coach House, Church Street.
PubNet is a new partnership initiative launched recently in which town centre pubs will be linked to police and CCTV operators via hand-held radios.
The scheme was set up by Inspector Dawn Copley, Preston Town Centre Geographic Inspector and John Hunter, licensee of the Adelphi pub on Fylde Street.
The scheme allows licensees and door staff to provide an early-warning system of individuals and groups likely to cause trouble.
Its main aim is to reduce alcohol-related crime, improve communications between town centre pubs and clubs and raise awareness of crime prevention.
PubNet has already registered 22 licensed premises and more are likely to join.
Insp Copley said: "I'm delighted to be involved in PubNet. It's an excellent example of licensees working in partnership with the police and each other to make Preston a safer place.
"Schemes like this are wholeheartedly endorsed by the Home Office in their current Action Plan -- tackling alcohol-related crime, disorder and nuisance. Schemes like PubNet provide an effective measure for keeping troublemakers from licensed premises."
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