NEW technology is being used to keep drunk, violent and unruly patrons out of Albury pubs.
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Licence scanners linked to a national system have been used at Paddy’s for two months and at Zed Bar.
The system records licence details and takes images as patrons arrive, which can be used to help track down offenders after incidents.
Paddy’s manager Jodie Tiernan said security guards could see if people had been banned from other venues or involved in incidents, even if the offences occurred in another state.
Information is entered into the system which is then shared with venues that use the same technology.
“It tries to reduce the number of assaults or anything that could occur,” she said.
“I think it would be a great way to keep our community safer if everyone got on board.
“We were shocked when we got it installed.
“It does pick up anyone who has offended.”
Ms Tiernan said there had been no assaults over the Winery Walkabout weekend despite the venue running at its capacity of 1100 people.
“It keeps out the known offenders who cause trouble,” she said.
“They have nowhere to go.
“It’s created a really good vibe in our venue.”
Ms Tiernan said 15 to 20 people could be knocked back from the pub each weekend as a result of the Scantek system.
The system also detects people who have been caught with drugs at venues and can be useful for police investigating incidents.
If someone is shown in security footage wearing a red T-shirt, that can be cross referenced with photographs and licence details taken at the venue.
Ms Tiernan hopes more pubs will install the technology to allow greater information sharing on intoxicated patrons and those barred entry.
Zed Bar owner Brian Grenfell said security staff could see if someone wanting to enter had been banned from Paddy’s.
The technology is used at the venue on Friday and Saturday nights.
“I think we can stop trouble before it happens,” he said.
“A lot of people now know if they do something wrong it can be traced back.
“I think people are starting to worry that their right to socialise will be taken away from them.
“Hopefully that will prevent crime as they won’t be able to go out to hotels in Albury.”