HOME Secretary Charles Clarke has been invited to speak at a national Pubwatch conference taking place in Chester next week.
The racecourse event, on Thursday (February 23), is the first outside the south of England and aims to share good practice in achieving a safe, secure and social drinking environment.
The Home Secretary has not yet indicated whether he will be taking part but organisers hope the fact he has not ruled out an appearance is a good sign.
One of the powers of Pubwatch is a city wide ban of individuals who have displayed criminal, anti-social or abusive behaviour in licensed premises.
Chester Pubwatch chairman Frank Marnell, of the Watergate Inn, said: 'The aim of the conference is to share ideas and to make sure that everybody know that the Pubwatch is here to stay to safeguard licensees, staff and customers and to reduce violence in pubs.'
And the Pubwatch chairman believes late night licensing legislation has led to a reduction in crime and disorder.
The conference, for 170 delegates, will be opened by Chester Lord Mayor Mike Jones and feature several presentations.
It will be attended by representatives from other Pubwatch groups, plus Chester MP Christine Russell, drug action teams, trading standards officers, magistrates and the Crown Prosecution Service.
In the evening a charity ball will take place at the racecourse to raise funds for Chester Pubwatch and victims of crime.
