A PUB watch scheme set up to combat the growing menace of drunken and anti-social behaviour in Burnley recently received recognition in a Home Office report.

Burnley Against Night-time Disorder (BAND) was praised as an example of how to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder that other towns and cities could adopt.

ANDREW HEWITT went on to the streets of Burnley to gauge the opinion of revellers. . .

LAUNCHED in 2000 with the message behave or be banned, Burnley Against Night-time Disorder was a response to the growing perception that a night out in Burnley was like entering a war zone.

Burnley Crown Court Judge Raymond Bennett had described the town as the modern day Wild West.

But four years after adopting a zero tolerance approach, the Home Office report, Alcohol Audits, Strategies and Initiatives praised BAND for reducing violent crime, increasing visitor numbers and filling empty premises.

In its first year alone the self-funded partnership between Burnley Council, the police, town centre licensees and the town centre management team banned more than 50 people from licensed premises. Presently 56 people are banned for assaults, violence and drug offences.

Inspector Andy Moore, until recently the officer in charge of BAND, said people put through the courts would still go to the same places every week and re-offend, and taking away the privilege of allowing them into the town centre would affect some of them more then convictions.

He said: "The scheme works. We have had only two repeat offenders in the time of BAND. According to the Home Office the scheme is in the top five in the country and has been copied throughout the country.

"The message is clear, these trouble-makers are not wanted. We want people to come to Burnley and enjoy themselves and be safe."

But what is the reaction among pub-goers and licensees?

Andrea Catlow, 37, of Laura House Lane, Burnley, John Bennett, 35, Terrilee Bennett and Lee Rainford, 18, all of Rose Grove, Burnley, were out celebrating Terrilee's 18th birthday.

John said: "I am out with my daughter tonight and the last thing I want is walking out into a brawl. It also gives me peace of mind, knowing Terrilee is safe when she is out.

"I have heard of the scheme and it works, in the main. But I was in town on the bank holiday and there was loads of fighting," said Andrea. "I think more needs to be done when its busier."

Paul Cunliffe, 22, of Felix Street, Burnley, and Chris Green, 20, of Smitherfield Avenue, Burnley, said they were aware of the scheme and had seen a reduction in violence in recent years.

"It is a good idea and it works in pubs that enforce it," said Paul. "The chain pubs are safe, but the smaller pubs don't seem to care and they can be rougher."

Suzanne Lomas, 24, and Julieanne Campbell, 22, both of Wren Street, Burnley, welcomed any scheme which stopped troublemakers.

Suzanne said: "It is good because it stops people coming out looking for trouble. There doesn't seem to be as many people coming out for a fight any more."

Landlord of a Cliviger pub, Declan Theodore, 34, used to be part of a similar scheme in Oxford. He criticised BAND for punishing people not necessarily out in Burnley centre.

He said: "It's a good idea if done properly. But it's been abused in Burnley. Everything before the courts seems to be alcohol related."

Tina Halden, 23 of Rawson Street, Burnley, and Glenda Good, 37, of Town Hill Bank, Padiham, said they were unsure if the scheme worked and blamed trouble on younger people.

Glenda said: "A lot of pubs are only interested in money. There are too many young kids allowed in for a start and it seems to be them causing the trouble. I do not like coming round town any more because of the kids."

In 2002 BAND was named Best Project in the Home Office's drive to tackle yobbish behaviour. It has also attracted interest from Queensland police in Australia, and the team behind the scheme travelled to San Diego to share their experiences at an international conference.

Billy Rooney, general manager and Licensee of Yates's Wine Lodge, is approaching his first year in charge of the bar. Last April 78-year-old Eileen O'Meara suffered a fractured skull after been hit by an ashtray thrown from the beer garden. She died six weeks later. Her killer Anthony Clark was jailed for four years.

Mr Rooney backs the scheme he adopted when he arrived just after the incident.

He said: "When I arrived we enforced BAND. Since then we have had no trouble. We do not tolerate anyone messing about. We want people to come in and feel safe."