A new initiative has been launched in Braintree in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town.

The Braintree Community Safety Partnership, supported by Essex Police, have begun a Pub Link scheme.

So far four licensed premises – The Picture Palace, The Lounge, The Boar’s Head and The Bull – have signed up.

The initiative sees participants linked via a radio, meaning they can share information with each other about potential troublemakers, large groups of people and other potential issues, meaning anyone who has been asked to leave one pub faces being unable to get into another.

Braintree District Council and Braintree Against Retail and Business Crime (BARC) have also backed the project, which will be fully operational from the end of this month.

It was launched at The Picture Palace last week.

Superintendent Steve Ditchburn said: “We are pleased to be involved in the Braintree Community Safety Partnership, which is committed to keeping Braintree safe and pleasant for people to work, live and visit.

“The members of premises who have signed up to the Pub Link radio scheme will have direct communication with a representative from BARC, who can then report any disturbances or potential disorder to us to deal with efficiently and effectively.

“We welcome any information that members of the Pub Link radio scheme can offer to better tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. We want to deter the small minority who ruin evenings for others through their actions and send a positive message to those wishing to enjoy a night out that Braintree is a safe place.”