'Three strikes' campaign is working

THE red cards have so far stayed firmly in the pockets of North Devon s police, who have been celebrating the success of a football style scheme to crack down on late night troublemakers. Aimed at reducing booze fuelled violence, the Three Strikes initi

THE "red cards" have so far stayed firmly in the pockets of North Devon's police, who have been celebrating the success of a football style scheme to crack down on late night troublemakers.

Aimed at reducing booze fuelled violence, the Three Strikes initiative has now been running for six months, using yellow and red "cards" to warn and then ban offenders from clubs and pubs if they get out of line.

But although 77 yellow card warning letters have been issued, with another 17 in the works, no one has received a red card and the 12 month ban from participating venues which goes with it.

More than 200 pubs and clubs have now signed up to the scheme and have direct access to the police website where licensees can view any exclusion orders issued through the courts.

Anyone who did commit a third offence during their 12 month ban period could end up with an Anti-Social Behaviour or Drink Banning Order prohibiting them from town centres in the evening.

The scheme was launched by Devon and Cornwall Police in partnership with Safer North Devon to help prevent alcohol related antisocial behaviour during 6pm-6am.