LICENSEES in Blackpool have vowed to eliminate town centre violence and unruly behaviour once and for all, the Citizen can disclose.

In the last fortnight a number of meeetings have been held attended by licensees, and representatives of the police and the council's leisure department.

They have discussed a series of measures such as a blanket ban on offenders which would prevent them entering other pubs in the centre, increased use of the "radio link" system and better use of CCTV cameras.

The Licensees Forum, which is a working title, has met several times and among those involved are town centre manager Nigel Hanson, Palace nightclub manager Bashir Rassas, and Sgt Gary Haley of the Licensing Unit.

Last Thursday (April 27) at a radio link users meeting, concern was raised about the radio system which was labelled inefficient, and CCTV coverage which was criticised for not being permanently manned.

A decision was made to make full use of the radio system and abolish complicated identity codes last Bank Holiday weekend and only one minor incident took place at Yates's in South Shore.

Manager Peter Rowlands said: "A row broke out between two girls and some lads got involved, but due to the radio and the rapid police response it came to nothing more than a scuffle." The latest Licensee Forum meeting took place on Wednesday (May 3) and the main issue under discussion was a proposed exclusion scheme, in which repeat offenders could be banned from virtually all establishments in Blackpool, possibly even the whole of the Fylde coast.

Steve Shaw, Blackpool town centre warden, said: "A small minority in the town are well known for causing trouble and the problem could be remedied by such an exclusion policy."

One school of thought states that rather than keeping a register of names -- which could violate Data Protection laws -- a catalogue of photographs could be used to identify troublemakers.

Future engagements for the forum include a meeting between Palace manager Bashir Rassas, Peter Walters from North Pier and CCTV chiefs to discuss the possibility of permanently manning cameras, and continuing to use the radio link system, which most agree is now working very well.

Steve Shaw said Blackpool has had enough of the problems that come with being an entertainment mecca.

He said: "We are all determined to put a stop to the problems with drinking and offenders. The street drinking ban is vigorously enforced, the radio link is in full force, cameras are getting better and if the exclusion policy goes ahead it is one more step towards a bigger, better Blackpool."

In the meantime the Licensing Forum will continue to meet regularly to discuss progress and iron out difficulties along the way.