Yobs are 'more scared of being barred from pubs than going to jail', says police chief

Inspector Andy Williams, of North Wales police, said persistent offenders were let out on bail time and again without punishment and found New Labour's pledge to be 'tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime' laughable.

Shocking: Yobs are more worried about being barred from their local pub than appearing before the courts

He said that since the force introduced 'Pubwatch' - a scheme which bans troublemakers from licensed premises in Holyhead, Anglesey - criminals were more afraid of not being able to drink in their local than appearing before a judge.

Inspector Williams said: 'The biggest thing we've noticed since introducing the interim Pubwatch banning scheme last year is that suspects are more concerned with being banned from the pubs than they are about going to court.

'That's a fact that speaks volumes.'

'Tough on crime and the causes of crime? When speaking to one or two of the individuals concerned, they honestly find it irresistibly amusing.

'I hasten to add that I absolutely do not blame our local courts for this.

'They are bogged down in the politics of the Government of today, which I feel has some extremely pressing issues in terms of both prison populations and the balance between punishment and rehabilitation.

'We have had a lot or words and intentions about getting tough on this or that, but where are the end game actions?'

Inspector Williams, who advocates a 'zero tolerance' approach to crime, said that, unlike the Government and courts, victims of crime were not concerned about the 'human rights' of the offender.

'They're not particularly concerned with the human rights of a person who chooses to beat them up, burgle their house or deal drugs to their children,' he added.

'They want these people dealt with firmly.

'My view is that, while there is always a balance to be struck in any action, their human rights - the victim's - are by far and away my biggest consideration and I should and will do all I can to ensure our local procedures reflect this.  

'However, in order to achieve this fully I need the support of the criminal justice system as a whole and at the top end, the Government which inevitably issues guidance to the courts.

'That's where my faith does take a shake I'm afraid.

'I've lost count of the number of times local police have arrested particular individuals officially known as "persistent offenders," have then put them before the court, to be later told they have yet again been bailed with the same conditions they had before.'