TOWN centre pubs are hitting the airwaves at the launch of a radio link safety scheme which starts on Friday.

The initiative offers bar and club owners a direct line to police and each other.

The pilot aims tackle drunkenness and disorder before it turns to violence and eight premises have already signed up.

Sandra Smith, licensee at Tokyo Joe’s, said: “I think it’s a really good idea that everyone works together to try to reduce crime.

“Customers will feel a lot safer if they know that we are putting something in place to protect them.” Publicans will have a direct line to police and CCTV officers at Greenock police station.

It means they can immediately share information with each other and if a customer is refused at one pub or if a fight breaks out they can pass on the culprits’ details to warn fellow publicans.

David Gunn, licensee at Word Up, said: “It’s a quicker way to contact police — when you dial 101, you get put through to a call centre.

“It’s good to link up with other pubs that have signed up for it.” Miranda McAllister, who runs The Westburn Bar with her sister licensee Ainsleigh Bulloch, also backed the initiative.

She said: “It’s a communication tool to keep us all safe.” There was a similiar initiative operating in the area eight years ago but it is hoped that this new ‘pub watch’ scheme will build on the success of the previous town centre radio link with the shops in the Oak Mall.

Sergeant Johnny Hay, of Greenock police, has been working together with publicans to get the initiative up and running and believes it will make a big difference.

He said: “I think it will have a positive impact.

“This radio link involves assisting the night-time economy and making the town centre a safer place.” Pub owners are paying £32 a month for the use of the radio link, which is running through Digital Systems Limited.

The following pubs are participating: The Lighthouse Bar and The Waterline in Cathcart Street, The Westburn Bar and Tokyo Joe’s in Westburn Street, Red in Cross Shore Street, Word Up and Harwoods in Dalrymple Street and Chaplins/The Victorian Suite in Inverkip Street.

Premises interested in joining them should contact Sgt Hay on 492554.