TROUBLEMAKERS in Evesham's pubs and clubs are being targeted in a campaign to clamp down on their rowdy behaviour.

Licensees and police have teamed up for the PubLink scheme, which was due to be launched today.

It will provide a message-linking service between signed-up town centre venues, and has been devised by Evesham beat manager PC Paul Adams and licensees.

The plan is for pubs and clubs to contact the police with information about those causing trouble and follows the success of a similar scheme which has been operating in Worcester for nearly a year.

The initiative has been welcomed by venue bosses who say the town has its share of troublemakers.

Jason Cooper, duty manager at The Swan Inn, in the High Street, said the pub could have used a radio when it had trouble last week and the scheme would give his staff and customers peace of mind.

"We've signed up because of the benefits it will bring to us and other pubs and clubs being linked," he added.

"This is a preventative measure and if we have trouble from people, we can then warn the other pubs and clubs not to let them in or serve them."

He said the radios included a panic button connected to a control room, which could then focus CCTV cameras on problem areas.

"Whenever you mix alcohol and people there's always going to be a problem", he added.

Jason Williams, managing director of Praesidium Security Ltd, which provides doorstaff for Evesham licensees, said the more people who signed up to the scheme, the safer the town would be.

"We've actively used this in Cheltenham and other places in the West Midlands and we know that it works," he said.

PC Adams said the scheme worked in the same way as the retail shop radio network and was linked to CCTV cameras.

He added those caught would be excluded from all pubs in the town.

"The theme is community, as the pub is not just an isolated building in the town," he said.

"It's all about making Evesham safer and giving people peace of mind."