BAR owners in Widnes have signed up to to a Pub Watch Whatsapp group in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Adopting a ‘banned from one - banned from all’ concept, licensees can talk to each other nightly to warn of trouble-makers, give a description and whether they’ve had problems asking somebody to leave.

This follows the successful ‘zero tolerance’ campaign in the run up to Christmas which members of Pub Watch, Cheshire Police and Halton Borough Council are fully committed to continuing.

Cllr Dave Cargill, Halton Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Community Safety, said: “The council is fully committed to working with Pub Watch and Cheshire Police towards a safer night-time economy. Licensees and their staff are working tirelessly to ensure that their pubs are safe and members of the public are able to enjoy their evenings out.

"The message is clear and fully endorsed by the council – there is zero tolerance with regards drugs misuse, disorderly and drunken and threatening behaviour.”

The small minority of unruly customers who were spoiling the evening of others will now learn that pubs will not be subjected to their behaviour any longer. With all venues now on board with Pub Watch, any bans will mean that these individuals will not be able to go out for a drink in Halton as the ban will be enforced by all members.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Christian Thornton

Since the horrific death of landlord Christian Thornton last year, all venues have pulled together and a reduction in drink-related crime has been reported.

The two schemes will continue to run in the future.

Mr Thornton's murderer Lee Abbot was jailed for 28 years at Liverpool Crown Court last week.