Pub landlords say they are facing a rising tide of anti-social behaviour.

The island’s Licensed Victuallers’ Association says it is concerned about a recent reported increase in verbal and physical attacks against licensed staff. It blames a small minority who turn up in pubs having already consumed too much alcohol, or in some cases having used recreational drugs.

LVA secretary Andy Saunders, landlord at the Original Quids Inn on Loch Promenade, pointed out that it is the licensee’s court-appointed duty in cases like these to refuse service.

Section 35 of the Isle of Man Licensing Act states the landlord and their staff can, without giving any reason, refuse to admit any member of the public to licensed premises, or sell them alcohol, or order them to leave.

Mr Saunders said: ’Unfortunately, this small minority do not understand that it is the licensee’s duty to act in this way and react inappropriately to lawful requests to leave.’

For anyone who commits an offence against a licensee - or their staff - the penalties are severe.

An assault will likely risk imprisonment and offenders will also be subject to a lengthy ban from licensed premises.

’Licensees do not refuse service lightly, but are committed, and required by law, to produce a safe, friendly and sociable environment for all our customers,’ said Mr Saunders. ’We will refuse to let this small minority deter us from this goal, or to spoil theisland’s excellent on-licence venues for the vast majority of patrons.’