THE chairman of Dunfermline’s Pub Watch claims the city’s nightlife safety is “improving greatly” after 55 people have been barred from clubs, bars and pubs involved in the scheme.

Craig Adamson, owner of Dunfermline nightclub, Lourenzos, and chairman of the Dunfermline Pub Watch scheme, told the Press, “Thousands of people come to Dunfermline every weekend to enjoy the city’s nightlife but there is always a handful of people who will spoil it.

“The premises who are involved in the scheme get together each month to discuss any issues and we all make a decision as to whether action should be taken to either ban or send a warning to that person.

“We have really progressed in the last year. The scheme has been running for a long time but other venues are now involved and on the radios talking between each other about ongoing trouble.

“The head of security at Lourenzos has been working in Dunfermline for around 17 years and he has told me that in the last nine months the safety of the town has been the best it has ever been. “I have seen a huge difference in the club and I would say that this has been as a direct result of Pub Watch. We have had to ban people to make an example and the word has now spread about the measures we are all taking.” Neil McGurk, a community investigation unit sergeant at Police Scotland, was involved in the Pub Watch scheme from an early stage.

He said, “We have seen a huge reduction in violent behaviour in Dunfermline’s centre at night.

“The scheme is about making the city a safe place for people to be at night and it is doing just that. The involved premises have links with the police with a file-sharing agreement so if a person is to be banned or given a warning through the decision of the premises on the scheme, their details can then be given to us so they can be sent a letter notifying them.

“Dunfermline Delivers does the admin work also and it is all working very well.” Maggie Mitchell, chief executive of Dunfermline Delivers, said, “This partnership approach is working to create a thriving night-time economy for Dunfermline.

“Getting the basics right has given us a strong foundation in which to attract new businesses and, as a result, provide additional reasons for consumers to spend their leisure time in Dunfermline.

“The BID company is pleased to be a part of such a successful initiative.”