ONE hundred drunken troublemakers have now been banned from licensed premises in Romford as Havering Council, the police and licensees get tough with alcohol-related disorder.
The louts have been given bans ranging from three weeks to five years under the ‘Banned From One, Banned From All’ scheme which launched in October.
Under the new scheme set up by the Council, anyone banned from one licensed premises for drink related disorder will be banned from them all.
The 100th person to receive the ban was barred for three years for fighting with another man in South Street.
He was banned along with 17 others, bringing the total number of people banned from the town centre to 103.
The Council, police and licensees met to discuss the incidents. Following this meeting, a separate independent panel of licensees then decided who should be banned and for how long.
Reasons for bans issued to the first 100 troublemakers range from assaults in the street, threatening and abusive language, aggressive behaviour towards to door staff, confrontations with police officers and throwing bottles.
The oldest person to receive a ban was 44. Ten were women and about half of the bans were given to people who live outside the borough.
Some banned troublemakers have tried and failed to enter premises in Romford town centre after being recognised by door staff and CCTV camera operators.
Councillor Geoff Starns, Cabinet member for Community Safety, said: “When we introduced this scheme in October we meant business and now more than 100 drunken yobs have been banned. Up to 12,000 people come into Romford over a weekend and we want to make sure that the tiny minority who can’t enjoy a drink without getting aggressive are kept away from people who just want to have a fun night out. This is a great example of what can be achieved when we work with the police and the community."
Inspector Mick Bates of Havering Police said: "The Romford Safe and Sound Night time committee have now have issued over 100 bans to people found committing crime in the town centre. This has had a real impact on preventing disorder and crime. They have made it clear that local business draws a line against such behaviour and supports the work of Romford police. We are together making Romford Safer."
Havering Council intends to extend the scheme to Hornchurch and other areas across the borough.