LICENSEES in Darwen are joining forces with shopkeepers in a bid to combat town centre violence and disorder.

Seven licensed premises in the town, including three nightclubs, are getting together with the established Blackburn with Darwen Security Link with their own Pub Watch scheme.

The security link arrangement involves landlords and shopkeepers keeping in touch by radio to warn each other of potential trouble makers.

The scheme will see those people who fall foul of the law banned, not only from the pubs within the Darwen scheme, but also from the shops in both Darwen and Blackburn.

The scheme will be run by a core committee of retailers and licensees who will make all decisions regarding the barring of customers.

Anyone who is banned will have the decision reviewed annually.

The Pub Watch scheme is another tool being employed by businesses in Darwen which aims to make the town centre a safer place to visit.

If a person is found committing acts of violence or damage, or dealing drugs, they will be barred from all premises in the Blackburn with Darwen Security Link - this could mean a person being banned from around 100 premises in the town.

PC Richard Green, crime prevention officer for Eastern Division, said: "Businesses in Darwen are making real progress working together and we fully support both the Security Link and the Pub Watch scheme.

"Darwen is making very positive moves towards improving the quality of life for those people working and visiting the town centre, as well as improving the business opportunities in the town.

"It also sends a clear message to those who use violence, deal drugs or commit any other type of crime in pubs and shops that their behaviour will not be tolerated."