A ROGUES' gallery of people who have been banned from York's pubs is to be sent out to licensed premises in the city.

The Coppers' Tale magazine will "name and shame" people banned from pubs and clubs by the courts. The magazine was previously published until 2003, when funding for it dried up.

Police will publish the offenders' photographs, and send them to licensed premises in the city centre.

Officers say the magazine will be a valuable tool in the fight against crime, especially drunken violence.

John Lacy, City of York Council's licensing manager, said: "While drunken youths don't mind getting fined, what they don't like is being banned from pubs - because they cannot socialise with their mates.

"This is a very effective measure of reducing and deterring violence."

About 500 copies of the first edition of the publication will be sent out to pubs, clubs and restaurants across the city.

Licensing officer PC Mike Welsh, the city's licensing officer, who is responsible for producing the magazine, said: "It is important that we include restaurants. It won't be available to the public, but if somewhere is licensed they are going to get it.

"Licensees will be able to show The Coppers' Tale to their staff so they know who has been banned from pubs and clubs.

"Bar staff might know someone has been banned if they drink in their establishment regularly, but what is to stop them going to a pub across town?

"It means that someone from Acomb who is banned from the city's pubs won't just be able to go and drink in Clifton without the fear of being recognised."

The Coppers' Tale will also publish the latest news about licensing laws and local crime prevention advice.

Luminar Leisure, which runs The Gallery nightclub in Clifford Street and Toffs in nearby Toft Green, will pay for the printing of the new version.

Advertising space will be sold to raise money for postage.

The first edition, a four-page newsletter, has already been printed, but it is expected to be expanded once it gets off the ground, and will come out quarterly.

The magazine, which was published in the city until 2003 when officers struggled to find funding, has been reinstated at the request of Anita Adams, who runs the Golden Slipper pub on Goodramgate.

She said: "We fought long and hard to get the Coppers' Tale because there were issues about the human rights of the people pictured, but we need to know who they are so we can obey the law.

"It is strictly for the use of staff and is kept in a drawer."

She said the publication should also be sent to supermarkets, because they sold the cheapest booze and stayed open longer.

Updated: 10:49 Wednesday, March 29, 2006