A SCHEME that will enable pubs and clubs in Redcar to keep troublemakers out of their premises started this week.

Nineteen premises in Redcar, including all eight nightclubs, have joined the PubWatch Radio scheme and been given hand-held radios so they can share information to help to protect themselves and their premises.

It will work in a similar way to the highly successful Shoplink scheme, now used by about 50 shops in Redcar to help to combat shoplifting.

Sgt Alan Evans said: "The Shoplink scheme acts as a deterrent because shoplifters tend not to visit shops that are linked.

"The Pubwatch system will work in pubs in a very similar way.

"Information sharing is the key. If there is a problem in one pub, it may migrate to another pub.

"If there is a problem with an individual, who is violent or taking drugs, for example, it is shared immediately with other establishments.

"There is an exclusion scheme and pubs signed up to it all share that exclusion so that trouble makers are kept out of all the premises.

"For example, there was a problem where a male and female had been found hiding in premises in toilets after closing time and stolen property.

"This information can be shared and other premises will now look in their toilets before they lock up."

He said the scheme would enable the police to monitor situations directly.

"There will be a direct link to police who will have one of the radios.

"Being faced with an aggressive customer is not an easy situation for staff to deal with and they often need extra help.

"The radio link may enable us to respond more quickly to an incident."

Participants to the scheme, which was set up jointly by Cleveland Police licensing officer Louise Burden and Apex Radio Systems, will be able to use the radios free of charge for a month.

It is then expected to cost around £20 to £25 a month for batteries and insurance.

"We are hoping that they won't be able to live without it," said Ms Burden.