POLICE have lifted a special order on a village pub two months after a raid.
Officers swooped on The Shoulder of Mutton in the middle of Holmfirth in late January following complaints of under-age drinking there on Friday nights.
Police found some under-age teenagers inside that night and implemented a Section 19 Order under the 2001 Criminal Justice and Police Act.
This means the licensee has broken the licensing conditions, in this case by serving to people under 18.
The pub closed voluntarily that night – Friday, January 25 – but re-opened the next day.
There was then a meeting within seven days between the police, brewery and licensing officials to agree an action plan to prevent it from happening again.
Now there are doorstaff at the Dunford Road pub on Friday nights and the problems have stopped.
Licensing enforcement officer Pc David Micklethwaite said: “A Section 19 Order can remain for up to six months, but we have decided to lift it now.
“An action plan was set up and through close co-operation between ourselves, the licensee and Punch Taverns we have all worked together to find a solution which has solved the problems.’’
Police are worried that under-age drinking can lead to criminal damage and other anti-social behaviour after pubs close.
The Shoulder of Mutton has a disco until 1am on Fridays.
Landlady Diane Boyles said bringing the doorstaff in had worked wonders and solved the problem immediately.
She added: “Having doorstaff can be a very effective solution to the problem of underage drinking.
“The kids don’t even try to get in any more and the pub is much calmer and with a friendlier atmosphere. Both our regulars and bar staff are more content.
“The problem was only on Friday nights, when we had the disco.
“You can tell by the record requests that we are now attracting older customers.’’
