Corby Pubwatch scheme gets ready to show troublemakers the red card

With the UEFA European Football Championship finally getting underway, visitors to licensed premises are being warned to behave or get banned.

Members of the Corby Neighbourhood Policing Team have joined forces with the town’s Pubwatch scheme and Safer Community Partnership, to show the red card to troublemakers.

Since the easing of the Covid-19 restrictions in May, and the re-opening of licensed premises in the town, five people have been issued with banning orders from the town’s 28 Pubwatch members, as a result of anti-social behaviour.

A Pubwatch Banning Order is a civil notice, which prohibits a person from visiting all Corby Pubwatch members licenced premises. The banning order is in place for two years but can be shortened to one year based on recent good behaviour.

If the anti-social or violent behaviour can be linked to the tournament, including watching televised matches in both public and private settings - troublemakers could also face a Football Banning Order, which can be in place for up to 10 years.

Corby Neighbourhood Policing officer PC Chris Vickers said: “Our aim is to provide a safe environment for everyone to enjoy themselves during the tournament and once the night-time economy fully re-opens.

“It is only a minority who become involved in violence or disorder, and sadly there seems to be a new generation of people who are visiting licensed premises for the first time, who do not know how to behave responsibly.

“Everyone in Corby has a right to socialise with friends and family without fear of intimidation or violence, and we will not tolerate people who put others at risk of harm by engaging in violent behaviour.”

Pubwatch Banning Orders are usually sent through the post however PC Vickers has pledged to personally serve all notices throughout the tournament. So, if you don’t want the police knocking on the door, please behave responsibly.