A PIONEERING Minehead scheme to cut alcohol-related crime has already had a huge impact in the first two months since it was set up.

At least 20 people have either been ejected from licensed premises or arrested since pubs and clubs in Minehead joined a radio link to help door staff spot potential troublemakers.

In all, 85 per cent of the town's licensed premises are joined by the link which involves the names and descriptions of offenders being broadcast to everyone who is hooked up to the scheme.

The aim is to cut under-age drinking, public order offences and incidents of drug taking and dealing. Anyone caught with drugs is given an automatic life ban from all the participating premises.

The radio broadcasts are also constantly monitored by police officers at Minehead Police Station, who can be on the scene to intercept troublemakers within minutes.

Doorsafe, the training scheme for door security staff, donated £600 towards the cost of setting-up the radio link and member Barry Simpkins said the results had been "tremendous".

He said he had already had inquiries about the scheme from people as far away as Fife and Guernsey who were keen to cut their alcohol related crime levels.

Mr Simpkins said he was hopeful the pub scheme would prove just as successful as a similar radio link for shop staff which saw a 60 per cent drop in retail crime over two years.

"In the last two months alone we have had considerable success with it. It's been tremendous," Mr Simpkins said.

Pictured at the presentation of Doorsafe's £600 donation, which was made at Minehead Police Station, are, from the left, seated, Barry Simpkins, Sgt Peter Yenson and Jim Durrant, with community PC Rupert Clegg (standing).

Photo: Steve Guscott