EIGHT thugs have been barred from almost every pub and club in Southampton city centre under a tough new crackdown against drunken violence.

A further 30 exclusion orders are in the pipeline, a little over a month since the blanket ban policy was launched by police, landlords and licensees.

Police say the figures show how serious they are about combating alcohol-related violent crime in Southampton city centre.

But the force has decided not to release photos of the thugs to us despite our requests for them to do so.

They told us that they would not give out the pictures because of concerns about human rights. The decision was condemned by the Southampton Licensed Victuallers' Association.

Spokesman Ken Gentles said that releasing the pictures to the public was invaluable as regulars were often helpful in identifying potential troublemakers.

He said: "I can't think why it should not be public knowledge. It is totally ridiculous."

The zero tolerance policy was introduced on July 31 as part of the Daily Echo backed Operation Viper campaign to reduce all types of violence across Southampton.

Police joined forces with Licencing Link, representatives from around 50 pubs and clubs in Southampton, to ensure violent thugs cannot get into licensed premises if they have already committed an offence at another nightspot.

Under the scheme, officers from Southampton police's licensing team can apply to city magistrates for an exclusion order for any person arrested at a pub or club and subsequently convicted of a violent offence, such as assault.

The court order bars that individual from the establishment where the offence took place. Then under the Licensing Link policy of "barred from one, barred from all", that person is excluded from every other licensed premises in the group - effectively imposing a blanket ban from all the city's main pubs and clubs. Police then send a letter to that person informing them of the exclusion order, and issue photos of those banned to each pub and club in the scheme so staff can see who is not welcome.

Anyone who then tries to get into a pub while barred risks being fined. Bans are at a magistrate's discretion and can last between three months and two years.

Sgt Stewart Chandler, of Southampton police's licensing unit, said: "All licensees have been issued with a folder of photographs of people currently excluded by the magistrates.

"Four were distributed on the day of the launch and four have been granted by the courts since that date.

"We are also in the process of getting and distributing the photographs of approximately 30 individuals who are currently in the criminal justice system and may be excluded pending the outcome of their trial or sentence."

He added: "We are very happy with how the scheme is going. It allows door supervisors to look out for certain individuals to ensure they do not create a danger to other people who are enjoying themselves."

Police said they were not aware of any barred customer attempting to gain entry to other licensed premises since the launch of the scheme six weeks ago.