Graham Jenkins, landlord of The Pheasant, is worried about violence in pubs. DA4732A LICENSEE who was assaulted in his own pub is urging landlords to band together and keep the troublemakers out before Salisbury becomes a no go area at night.

When Graham Jenkins was punched and headbutted in The Pheasant on Salt Lane, he asked Pubwatch to bar his attacker from all licensed premises in the city.

However, he claims the group which was established to protect landlords, staff and customers does not have enough support and is calling on more pubs to clamp down on Salisbury's spiralling late night violence.

"Pubwatch only works if all the pubs stick together and help each other out," he said.

"We know who most of these troublemakers are and if they are barred from one pub they should be barred from them all but it just isn't happening - they are still drinking in other places and no-one does anything to stop them.

"There are too many thugs going out in Salisbury which spoils it for everyone else."

Mr Jenkins, who has run The Pheasant for last two years, is concerned the violence will tarnish Salisbury's image.

"It's a tourist town - people flood here in the day but they are nowhere to be seen at night," he added.

"They are too scared to go out - we need to stop the lethargy and make it a place that's enjoyable and safe."

But Pubwatch chairman Bill Buchan says the scheme is well supported with 66 city centre licensees on board.

"I have had very positive feedback from the members," he said.

"They find it very helpful in achieving our aim of making Salisbury a safe place for staff, customers and residents.

"We are supported by the police, Salisbury District Council and the CCTV team who give us lots of help and information.

"We take complaints about individuals very seriously and have put in place 14 bans since the scheme started in 1999 - which normally run for 12 months.

"But we have to be fair and consider human rights issues. People have the right to appeal and all bans are discussed by the members before a vote is taken.

"Pubwatch has been very effective in recruiting members - the magistrates ask all new licensees to join - as we become a closer knit team we hope to make Salisbury an even better place to go out."

Licensing officer PC Steve Shepherd works closely with the landlords and says the city is a safe place to socialise.

"Every village, town and city has violence and while any trouble is too much we have to live in the real world," he said.

"In Salisbury the figures are very low, there's a tiny minority who spoil it but compared with many other towns it's a very safe place to go out."