Nightclubs and large pubs in Colchester could have to foot the bill for extra policing to keep the night-time streets free of trouble, if Colchester's MP Bob Russell has his way.

Mr Russell is planning to raise the idea of making the biggest pubs and nightclubs pay for extra policing on Friday and Saturday nights with the Home Affairs Select Committee.

The Liberal Democrat MP added that the idea came about after a meeting with residents of the Castle ward to see what could be done to cut down on anti-social behaviour.

The idea has led to concern and misgivings from the town's pub and club owners.

Mr Russell said his idea was akin to football clubs paying for extra policing on matchday fixtures.

He said: "Residents of the Dutch Quarter are having their quality of life lessened because of the town's night-time economy. These huge drinking establishments are making a huge turnover but not paying anything to help deal with the consequences of their customers."

He said he couldn't see why all tax-payers should bear the costs of extra night-time policing in town centres.

Ransford Thomas, vice-chairman of Colchester Pub Watch, said he would have to take the idea to the watch's committee before making a full statement.

But he said the idea raised a large number of issues.

Mr Thomas, of Edward's Bar, said there was the issue of whether restaurants, small pubs or even off-licences should have to contribute as they were all selling intoxicating liquor and problems could emanate from any one of them.

He added there was also the issue of where problems actually stemmed from. First, he said, not all trouble-makers in the town centre are necessarily drinkers or users of any town centre facilities. And secondly, they may have been to a number of establishments before-hand making it unfair to punish the last venue they have been to.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We will be watching it very closely as the proposals unfold."

Published Wednesday, June 4, 2003

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