Residents should have more power to challenge problem pubs

12.00.00am GMT Fri 20th Feb 2009

Local residents who are suffering from crime, anti-social behaviour and excessive noise from local pubs are increasingly unwilling to report them for fear of reprisals, says Paul Harrod, Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol North West.

Brentry resident Chris Anderson, who was attacked in the Wayfarer Pub in Southmead, and featured on the front page of the Evening Post is an exception, and should be congratulated for taking a stand.

"When the Lib Dems are out and about talking to people problem pubs are frequently mentioned" said Paul Harrod "but residents are understandably nervous about taking a stand.

"Last year I gave a statement to the local police, detailing the large number of resident surveys we had from Westbury-on-Trym members who were complaining about crime and anti-social behaviour linked to the Forresters Pub.

"However none of the residents I talked to were willing to go on the record, as their complaint could be made public.

"As one man said to me, 'I'd get a brick thrown through my window.'

"I am not advocating a system where decent pubs can be closed down by anonymous complainants - that would be ridiculous - but nor should you have to go public in the way Mr Anderson has.

"There needs to be some way in which local residents can work together with local police to tackle the very small minority of local pubs that cause significant disruption, without having their name and address on public record."