Pub joins police in blitz on yobs (From Gazette & Herald)

Owners of King’s Head in Market Place, Malton, join police in blitz on yobs

12:02pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By Karen Darley

POSITIVE steps to reduce the number of violent and public order incidents in and around a Malton pub have been implemented following a licensing review brought by local police.

Concerns had been raised by officers and members of the public over the behaviour of customers from The King’s Head in Market Place, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Insp Andy Everitt, of Malton police, said he had taken the review before Ryedale District Council’s licensing committee due to the ‘unacceptable’ levels of disturbances taking place.

He said: “This licensing review of the King’s Head was brought about by Ryedale police following concerns at the amount of violence and public disorder incidents, on Saturday nights in particular, with many of these incidents occurring after midnight.

“The King’s Head’s current position within the Malton town centre night time economy gives further cause for concern as it is widely regarded as the last stop on the circuit and attracts significant numbers of customers between 11.30pm and 1am on Saturday evenings.”

Insp Everitt said: “Because of this, the management and staff of The King’s Head are operating in a very challenging environment and it is therefore extremely important that all measures are put into place to reduce risk and support the four licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.”

Insp Everitt added that the King’s Head had taken extensive advice and with their agreement had now taken positive steps to reduce the number of incidents in and around the immediate environment of the premises.

“We have a responsibility to the wider community in preventing incidents of crime and disorder and will continue to work positively with the management and staff in addressing causational factors,” he said.

“Although this licensing review was brought about by Ryedale police, I had received reports from town councillors representing community members’ concerns on the perceived poor behaviour of customers in the early hours of the morning who were thought to have left from the Kings Head.”

Diane Lee, from the company which owns the King’s Head, said a number of improvements had been implemented at the pub, prior to the licensing review.

She said: “We are working with the police to do whatever we can to ensure the King’s Head is one of the safest late-night pubs in Malton.

“The committee upheld what we had already implemented and felt that we could not go much further.”

Mrs Lee said the changes that had taken place included operating a Challenge 25 age verification policy, upgrade of the CCTV system to full colour with 12 cameras and the introduction of polycarbonate glasses on Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm.

“We have also upgraded the lighting in the alleyway to improve visibility at night and put up a boundary fence between the beer garden and the public footpath,” she added.

“There have also been a number of staff changes with monthly staff training meetings with age-related sales being reinforced at every meeting.”

“We have gone further than any pub in Malton to ensure people are safe.”

Coun John Clark (Lib), chair of the licensing committee, said: “The majority of their problems appear to have been resolved and it is hoped that after a high level of co-operation from the King’s Head the problems will disappear.”