A Tenby publican has hit back at claims that the town is in the grip of 'stags, hens, yobs and slobs' feeling that the problem here is no worse than anywhere else in the country.
Mr. Keith May, of the Three Mariners, contacted the Observer this week in response to an open letter to the police in last week's issue from local resident, Mr. Ken Fryer.
Mr. Fryer, of St. Teresa's, claimed that the police were giving the town a 'part-time service' in dealing with the "culture of stags, hens, yobs and slobs" feeling that, by failing to police the town adequately at night, police chiefs were condoning the situation.
However, Mr. May feels that the police are doing a good job, and that "stag and hen parties are the least of the town's problems."
"Mr. Fryer has expressed concern about this 'culture' ever since he moved here," Mr. May commented. "But this 'culture' is a national phenomenon, not just a Tenby one.
"This 'culture' is nationwide and the problems we may get are nothing like those experienced elsewhere.
"This is a little seaside resort. Granted, with its 22 pubs, it's a popular watering hole and no wonder it attracts people, but things here are tame in comparison with elsewhere.
"Mr. Fryer is beating the same drum again, and to be frank, it's getting boring. It's not helping to keep raising this issue because the more you make of something, the worse the situation gets, particularly when the more sensationalist media take an interest.
"People are just out to enjoy themselves and thanks to the police the situation now is better than it ever was. They do a good job given their resources and I would say that things were better this year than last.
"There are a couple of pubs with late licences, which I feel helps by staggering 'chucking out time' and you often find that most of the youngsters are out of the pubs before 11 pm anyway, because they're heading off to the nightclubs.
"As one of the few premises to operate karaoke, I do object to an inference in Mr. Fryer's letter about yobs and slobs leaving a karaoke'd snug," Mr. May added.
"It makes it sound like karaoke is some sort of evil. Yes, people come here to have a good time, but I can assure you that I don't welcome yobs and slobs any more than Mr. Fryer.
"We keep our house in order and like every other licensee in Tenby we are experienced enough to spot troublemakers. We all have reliable door staff and if we do have trouble we know that the police will be there when we need them.
"You cannot expect a publican to control what goes on out on the street, that is the remit of the police, but from a licensee's point of view the police are doing a good job."