THE NET is closing in on drunken trouble-makers in Bury.

Nite-Net is a new radio link system which has been adopted by licensees in the town centre area and enables landlords and landladies at every pub to alert colleagues to problems via walkie-talkie.

The system is also linked to the CCTV control centre and the police station.

Nite-Net has already proven its worth in Manchester city centre where it has helped to reduce alcohol related crime and problems since it was launched twelve months ago. Now, Bury town centre pubs are to benefit from the radio link scheme which is being co-ordinated by the police. Handsets have been dished out to publicans. The system becane fully operational on Friday (Feb 8).

Bury police licensing officer, PC Ruth Halligan said: "Nite-Net is a new weapon in the fight to eradicate trouble and reduce crime in the town centre.

"Every licensee involved in the project can alert colleagues and police patrols to incidents within seconds. If customers have been ejected from a pub for rowdy or violent behaviour, this information can be passed on to other pubs.

"The CCTV centre can also monitor the whereabouts of these troublemakers and video coverage of offences will be used to support prosecutions."

Pub bosses have each paid £100 towards the set up of Nite-Net and will pay £5 a week to rent the handsets. Bury police have funded the installation of the radio mast on the roof of their Irwell Street station.

PC Halligan added: "The division's aim is to make the town centre free from alcohol-related crime and this new system will only strengthen that resolve."