October 10, article in the Echo

A pub watch scheme has been launched in Loughborough to cut crime in the town's bars and clubs.

The Loughborough Eye aims to call time on trouble-makers and get tough on drugs and disorder. An eye-catching logo which reflects the name is the centre piece of posters to be distributed to all members of the scheme.

The scheme, which has taken a year to set up has already recruited 28 members. Most of those who have signed up have also equipped themselves with a radio which links them to police and CCTV operators. Other members include representatives from the University and the students body, Mr Malcolm Burton from Charnwood Borough Council and the police.

Loughborough Eye posters - which include the logo "watching out for you" - will be placed in all licensed premises participating in the crime prevention scheme. Leicestershire County Council has given the group the go-ahead to place Loughborough Eye street signs on lamp posts. Volunteers will also be handing out leaflets in the town centre, to promote the launch this week.

The Loughborough Eye will also include a formal information sharing protocol to provide photographs of people with relevant convictions, including assaults at (licensed premises. The group is also introducing a 'Banning' policy and will be issuing letters. Indeed the members have already earmarked 10 people they plan to ban from every pub and night-spot in the group.

Chairman of Loughborough Eye, Alex Nesbitt who is the licensee of Lloyds on Baxter Gate said: "We have spent 12 months preparing for this launch. In that time we have worked hard together behind the scenes and built up a strong group. We share information and intelligence about trouble makers and cover general issues affecting the licensing trade. Now we have an official identity that people can relate to. We hope the law-abiding public will be reassured by the presence of Loughborough Eye, and that trouble-makers either behave, or take their custom elsewhere."

Sergeant Margaret McLoughlin, based at Loughborough police station, said: “There has been a great deal of work for the group to do to get this scheme up and running and fantastic progress has been made. This is not a talking shop - we will take tough action to endeavour to ensure the safety of staff and the public. We want people to come to Loughborough and experience a safe and fun night out, not become a victim of crime.

From Loughborough Echo. 10th October 2003.

A Loughborough Police sergeant has been praised for iniating a registration scheme for door staff in the town.
Sgt. Margaret McLoughlin was present at a meeting of Charnwood Borough Council's decision-making cabinet to hear members discuss proposals of the scheme.
Councillors agreed to the proposals which will see night club and pub door staff having to reveal certain previous convictions and undergoing special training.
Sgt. McLoughlin helps to coordinate the Loughborough eye scheme, which aims to ban rowdies from every nightspot in town if they misbehave or break the law in just one.

Loughborough Eye includes licencees of town centre venues, the police and the council's licencing officer.
Members of the Loughborough Eye scheme will help to run Loughborough Door Watch with the help of the Police.
Sgt. McLoughlin said: "It's a project I've done a lot of work on over the last few years and I'm absolutely delighted with the partnership we've forged between the borough council and the Loughborough Eye.
"It's another key element in helping people to feel safer in the town centre."
There have been previous plans to introduce registration, but they were put on hold in anticipation of a new Government backed national scheme. However that had been delayed until at least October 2004.
Coun Sandra Forrest said she was delighted with the scheme and added "It's a scheme that has been lacking in Loughborough for some time."
Coun Betty Newton said: "We've not had a proper door registration scheme and when this is introduced it will lead greatly to the safety of those people who continue to spend the night out in Loughborough."
The councillors offered their thanks to Sgt McLoughlin for her work in develping the scheme.