Residents set up bar watch in High Street (From Echo)

Residents set up bar watch in High Street

3:30pm Thursday 15th September 2011 in News By Faye Hackwell

RESIDENTS are keeping a watchful eye on troublesome late-night drinking in Billericay as part of a new campaign.

They are creating a log of incidents of antisocial behaviour, crime and noise in and around the High Street to encourage Essex Police and Basildon Council to tighten up licensing restrictions on pubs and bars.

More than 40 residents attended a public meeting organised by borough councillors and decided to launch the campaign, over fears the town centre is becoming a “pub alley”.

This follows Stewarts Wine Bar in Western Road being granted a licence to extend its opening hours until 1.30am at weekends and 12.45am on weeknights, despite 100 residents objecting because of fears about noise and trouble.

Phil Turner, ward councillor for Billericay, said: “At the meeting, we discussed what action residents need to take to gather the evidence we need to be able to review the situation with the licensing committee.

“This could help the committee to impose further stricter measures that will force licensees into additional measures they need to deal with excessive noise, antisocial behaviour and other disturbances.

“Residents are being asked to join our campaign and report any incident they witness to the local authority, the police or both, so we can build up intelligence of the infringements up and down the High Street.”

Many of the residents who attended the meeting successfully campaigned for the closure of High Street sports bar Green Tees, which was renowned for punch-ups and underage drinking.

Mr Turner added: “Our campaign, which saw the end of Green Tees, has now been given new momentum and new purpose to stem the march of High Street into what other towns have witnessed and termed ‘pub alley’.

“We are not at war with the licensed trade, but we are energised to curb poor management practices that have seen the rise of antisocial behaviour which adversely threatens our way of life.”

l To take part call Mr Turner on 01277 633918