Pontypridd Pubwatch has been recognised as 'highly commended' at the National Pubwatch Awards at the prestigious award ceremony & dinner in the House of Lords in Westminster on the 16th October. Now in its seventh year, the National Pubwatch Awards, champion the work of local Pubwatch schemes throughout the UK and their efforts to provide safe drinking environments for customers and staff in all licensed premises. Entrants are judged by a panel of National Pubwatch Committee members and industry experts who identify the scheme which made the greatest contribution to its community.

Each local Pubwatch works in partnership with local police to reduce alcohol-related crime, while providing local pubs with information and guidance on how to ensure a safe drinking environment in their community. Pontypridd Pubwatch was the first Pubwatch in Rhondda Cynon Taf to enter the National Pubwatch Awards, Sian John (Chair of Your Pontypridd BID & Pontypridd Pubwatch) and Victoria Walker (vice chair of Pontypridd Pubwatch) represented the Pontypridd Pubwatch at the awards, where the judges highlighted Pontypridd for its work around safeguarding vulnerable people and its supporting relationship with the Your Pontypridd Business Improvement District.

Mike Jacklin, co-ordinator of the RCT & Merthyr Tydfil BCRP, ' congratulated the Pubwatch for the dedication & enthusiasm they had put into achieving this award. It is proof that Pubwatch makes an enormous contribution to delivering Pontypridd as a successful & safe town centre for everyone to visit, work, & enjoy. That Partnership working does deliver success'

Pontypridd Pubwatch is a member of the Rhondda-Cynon-Taf & Merthyr Tydfil Business Crime Reduction Partnership, & the National Pubwatch.

Victoria Walker, who also manages Pontypridd's Wetherspoons pub The Tumble Inn said that 'Pontypridd Pubwatch has been an integral part of the night time economy for some time. The scheme runs primarily to reduce crime and disorder and to promote a safe night time economy. Working together with licensees, the police, licensing authorities, the local BID and other parties the scheme provides safe guarding, training and promotes local initiatives.

The National Pubwatch awards, I felt was a brilliant way to promote the work we do within the town and the night time economy and the relationships we have with the local authorities. As a community we have the ability to come together and promote change and we feel we have a voice as licensed premises.

It was an absolute pleasure to be one of three finalists from the UK, and an even bigger pleasure to be invited to the House of Lords to receive our ‘highly commended’ award. As a scheme we would like to thank all the parties that contribute to our very successful running and for all the support we receive from within the town.'

Your Pontypridd BID Secretary James Payne said ' this is hugely deserved, the Pontypridd Pubwatch provides a platform for the BID to engage with levy payers in the night time economy and we have built an excellent relationship with the businesses and representatives from the local authorities, which has led to Pontypridd Pubwatch being recognised nationally as highly commended, all the organisations and businesses involved can be proud that they are creating a safer night time economy and hopefully we can build on this success to continue to make Pontypridd a great place to visit.'

To see the results of the National Pubwatch Awards 2019 visit www.nationalpubwatch.org.uk/pubwatch-awards/