A SCHEME to reduce alcohol- fuelled trouble has cut anti-social behaviour in Leominster .

Herefordshire Against Night-time Disorder (HAND) scheme has reduced problems in the town by banning troublemakers from pubs, clubs and other licensed premises.

Sue Witherstone, from the Blue Note Café in West Street, said: “Since the inception of the scheme three years ago, 49 bans have been issued, mainly for three months. Four lasted for a year.

“The majority of the bans have come from requests by licensees of pubs and off-licences.

“The rest have come following police involvement in disorder issues. Once issued, there have been few problems, with most quietly serving out their ban and not re-offending.”

The scheme initially only applied to pubs but now includes 25 licensed premises – including most of the town’s off-licences and supermarkets.

A new initiative bans under-18s caught drinking or causing damage for a set period from their 18th birthday.

“The whole point of reaching your 18th is that you can go our with your friends and drink legally. A ban would put the mockers on that aspiration,” said Ms Witherstone.

PC Tracy Lewis, from Leominster police, said, “Because Leominster is a relatively small place and it’s a long way to the next town, no-one wants to get a HAND ban.”

The scheme is given administrative assistance by the police.