A Pubwatch scheme in which bar staff and licensees will join forces to tackle drink-fuelled violence is set to be launched within the next month. About 16 venues in the City of Hamilton have now signed up to the project, according to Bermuda Police Service’s liquor licensing officer P.c. Scott Devine.

P.c. Devine said the link-up — which bar managers have been discussing in a series of meetings for the past six months — had already had a positive impact on efforts to combat trouble, particularly in the Front Street area. It is expected staff will have radios so they can warn each other in advance of disorderly groups who may be heading their way.

Licensees will draw up a code of acceptable behaviour which can be applied across the board, with serious offenders facing being banned from all participating bars.

P.c. Devine said yesterday: “We expect it to be up and running by the end of this month, or in the first week or two of August.

“It’s taken longer than I thought because it’s been a little difficult moving things ahead, particularly at this time of year. But we are getting there now and I’m pleased with the way it’s going.”

Venues signed up include Cafe Cairo, The Pickled Onion, Bermuda Bistro At The Beach and Docksiders pub, in Front Street; The Hog Penny, in Burnaby Hill; and the Spinning Wheel, in Court Street.

Philip Barnett, president of Pickled Onion and Hog Penny, said: “The concern for many operators of bars and pubs is ensuring that they have a safe, enjoyable atmosphere for all.

“There are so many trouble-makers out there, who will cause trouble in one place and then go somewhere else. This is about saying enough is enough. If you’re trouble at Pickled Onion, good luck getting in the Spinning Wheel. If you’re trouble at Robin Hood, you won’t be going to Fresco’s Wine Bar.

P.c. Devine first spoke to bar owners last year about creating an action group based on the Pubwatch scheme which has been successful in his homeland Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Further down the line, it has been suggested Hamilton-wide dress codes and ID-checking systems could also be implemented, while bar managers could also push collectively for official training initiatives for bouncers.