A PUB watch scheme in Buckfastleigh has successfully identified and banned a nuisance drinker from the town’s establishments.

PCSO James Yates told town councillors and members of the public that the revival of the scheme is helping publicans identify such people.

In his report to the town council meeting last week he said: ‘Now the scheme is up and running again all the pubs in the town can join together and discuss reoccurring individuals who are causing an issue. Already one individual has been identified through the scheme and received a banning order.’

Further in his report PCSO Yates said there had been some recent issues with people using the Camphill Community site as a cut-through to get to the town centre, and criminal damage at the centre for adults with learning disabilities.

He said: ‘Regrettably there has been some damage to the residents’ handmade pottery in the remembrance gardens. This part of the route is totally cut off and would be of no advantage for anyone to pass through. Due to the remote location there were limited routes of investigation for this crime and unfortunately our scenes of crime officers were unable to recover any fingerprints from items.

‘The Camphill site has been a previous victim of criminal damage and we take these reports very seriously and recognise the negative impact they have on the residents’ quality of life. Any further reports will be noted as hate crime.’

PCSO Yates then reported the crime statistics for October.

He said: ‘After a busy period, the Buckfastleigh Neighbourhood Team has seen a slight decrease in reported incidents as we come into the autumn period.

‘Thirty-nine incidents were reported in Buckfastleigh town during October 13 related to the A38. There were a further four incidents in Dean Prior, three in Buckfastleigh west and one in Holne.’

Of those incidents he said eight were recorded crimes in Buckfastleigh town, including two assaults, one theft, two criminal damage offences, one drug offence, one burglary and one harassment.

In Holne there was one assault; Buckfastleigh west one assault and one incident of criminal damage; and no crimes reported in Dean Prior.