More than 20 licensees and bar staff last night agreed to set up a "Pubwatch" scheme to tackle a growing trend of drink-fuelled violence.

They were at a meeting, called by Bermuda Police Service's liquor licensing officer P.c. Scott Devine, aimed at finding a way to combat binge-drinkers causing mayhem in the city centre.

Bar owners and door staff voted almost unanimously to form a "Pubwatch" team ? an action group which will meet regularly to discuss ways of improving safety.

It is hoped the operation ? based on a successful scheme in the UK and the US ? will ultimately mean serious troublemakers are banned from every bar in the city.

Licensees will be asked to set acceptable standards of behaviour from punters which will be applied across all city pubs.

City-wide dress codes and ID-checking systems could also be implemented, while bar managers are expected to push collectively for official training schemes for bouncers across the city.

The meeting at Police headquarters was attended by 25 representatives from city venues including Docksiders pub, Robin Hood, Flanagan's Irish Pub, Splash nightclub and Cafe Cairo.

P.c. Devine told them: "There's been an increase in violent incidents and a general lawlessness in the city centre part of Hamilton.

"It's going to take a concerted effort from all of us to get on top of it. It's not something the Police can do on their own, and likewise the licensees.

"The Pubwatch scheme has been operating in the UK and the US for 20 years and has been a marked success. Some areas have found it has reduced violence to zero.

"You are the ones who are deciding what standard of behaviour you are going to accept and what behaviour you are not going to accept."

P.c. Devine said the policy to ban major offenders from each bar would be a key part of the scheme.

"It's only going to take three or four people getting banned and it sets an example," he said.

"If it's all the city centre bars he's banned from, that person's going to realise he has to go all the way to St. George's to get a pint. It's the threat of it that works as much as the ban itself."

P.c. Devine pledged Police would increase their presence in bars to help get the zero tolerance message across.

"We are trying to push cops as regularly as they can to pop into bars, even if it's just to walk around and say hello," he said.

Bar owners agreed to meet again in two weeks to set up an official board, which will include a chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer.

Anthony White, managing director at Docksiders, said: "It's been a positive meeting. I hope everybody can stick together now and try to make this thing work."Dennis Carter, manager at Cafe Cairo, said: "I think this is a good idea. Working together we may be able to make a difference."Diallo Sharrieff, a security worker at Splash, said: "It's a step in the right direction. This kind of thing has been tried before and not worked, but there seems to be a bit more information this time. Hopefully that will help make it work this time."Brenton Peterson, a doorman at Docksiders, backed plans for training for bouncers.

"The faster they get the training for security guards the better. An extra degree of professionalism will help a great deal."

Acting Chief Inspector Mark Bothello, who was at the meeting, said: "This is a big step in the right direction. I hope this Pubwatch will assist Bermuda as a whole."

Carlton Adams Assistant Commissioner of Police, said: "Anything which helps reduce the negative behaviour as a result of alcohol has to be welcomed."

Once the scheme is up and running, it is expected to involve meetings of licensees every two months. It has received support from the Chamber of Commerce and the Corporation of Hamilton.