COLCHESTER’S community safety boss says the launch of a renewed pub watch group will make the town safer.

Tim Young, Colchester councillor responsible for community safety, said since the group became inactive two years ago, town centre incidents have risen.

But now the group has been re-launched, with a new chairman and fresh backing from Essex Police, and Mr Young said the town centre should become a safer place.

He said: “An effective Pub Watch has proved to have a positive effect on safety measures in the town centre.

“Since the group has been inactive, we have seen an increase in incidents.

“So this re-launch is a welcome sign that they are getting their act together.”

Mr Young also backed the group’s plan to implement the Best Bar None scheme, which would see troublemakers barred from all nightspots if they were thrown out of a venue.