THE operations director in overall charge of Bournemouth's trouble-hit bar Walkabout has been defending his company's record on dealing with problems of crime and disorder.

David Turner, of Regent Inns, told magistrates about steps taken to try and resolve the problems highlighted by the police, who claim there has been an unacceptably high level of violent crime at the popular Old Christchurch Road venue.

He was giving evidence as part of an appeal against a council order to shut the premises on November 24. "I would love it if there was never any incident. Unfortunately we're dealing with human beings here," he said.

"We have put in a lot of time and effort to try and manage those incidents."

He told the Bournemouth court that Walkabout had stopped two for the price of one drinks offers - introduced to familiarise customers with Australian brands - in May last year.

Plastic half pint and pint glasses had been brought in last December and had since been replaced with stronger polycarbonate glasses, sourced from Mexico, last May.

A "pinch point" to the left of the main bar had been freed up, and the capacity of the premises reduced from 700 to 600.

Free food was being given out towards the end of the evening to encourage crowds to disperse more easily.

Mr Turner said the previous manager of Walkabout had been suspended and a new manager and assistant manager brought in from other company venues. A doorman had also been suspended for not following company policy when ejecting a customer, the hearing was told.

But he admitted he had been unable to fulfil his intention to always have nine door staff on duty during peak hours.

"This is the real world we operate in and people have let us down. At no time did I have inadequate door staff to cover," he said.

The hearing continues.

First published: November 11, 2005