A RADIO link between pubs and clubs is set to make Newport city centre a safer place for a good night out by cracking down on troublemakers.

If enough licensees sign up for the radios - which are already being used by 55 city stores to clamp down on shoplifters - the scheme could be up and running by the weekend, a meeting was told yesterday.

The radios are linked to the city's CCTV control room, the meeting of Newport's licensees was told.

Sarah Davies, who runs Newport CCTV, said: "If an incident kicks off and you eject somebody, you can pass over the radio a description of the person and the direction they're going in to warn others that they may try and gain entry to their premises.

"And if there are any incidents you can contact the CCTV control room." The radios can be used to alert all the users almost instantly to potential troublemakers because everyone would be on the same frequency. A phone-based system would mean a delay when licensees contact each other individually.

Licensees will still need to contact the police by telephone, but Chief Inspector Julian Knight said Newport police would be investing in one of the radios to keep in the van they use to patrol the city at night.

He said: "We will certainly be monitoring it, and nine times out of ten we will pre-empt an incident and be there to support you.

"We will be pushing strongly and encouraging all licensed premises, particularly those involved in public entertainment, to be part of the radio link network.

"We want people who come here to feel safe, secure and have a good night out."

Heidi Woolley, chairman of Newport's Pub Watch scheme and general manager of the Chicago Rock Caf, told the meeting: "We need to get this scheme up and running for everybody's safety, not just members of staff, but members of the public."

Zane Dawson, of the Tom Toya Lewis, signed up immediately. He said: "I think it's going to be fantastic. I've used the system before on the south coast, and it worked very well."

Newport's licensing officer, PC Bill Lewis, said: "This system of radios works. It does reduce incidents of crime and disorder.

"This can be up and running at the earliest this weekend, but certainly by the following weekend."