Most of the town's pubs have joined the scheme

Licensed premises in Melton Mowbray have started a Pub Watch scheme with police to cut crime.

The majority of pubs and bars in the town have signed up for the project, aimed at cutting crime and disorder.

They will be given radios linked to a police CCTV centre, where the troublemakers will be tracked by a team of volunteers.

'Banned policy'

The radios are already used in the retail crime reduction scheme called Smart (Secure Melton Against Retail Theft) involving more than 30 local shopkeepers.

The new group may operate a "banned from one, banned from all" policy applying to drinkers at all participating venues.

The radios allow door staff and the police to keep in contact to prevent trouble from starting and to react quickly to any incidents.

It is hoped the initiative will be up and running by Christmas.

It is also intended that photographs of known and suspected troublemakers will be supplied by the police for use by staff.