Steve Kirk, the owner of The Village Inn pub in Caterham- on-the-Hill was shocked and dismayed last month to read reports in the local press suggesting that residents close to the pub had suffered criminal damage to their property and threats by some of its patrons.

Steve said: "This is the first I have heard of anyone threatening my neighbours or damaging their property. If I knew about it I would be the first to make reparation for any damage. "After the World Cup this year I had people from the police and the council coming in to congratulate me on how well things went here during the screening of the games. I have been told that at the last residents' meeting everyone was saying what a great improvement they have seen. When I first had the pub we were the number one pub for complaints in the area, now we are close to the bottom of the list."

Commenting on the reports, Tandridge Neighbourhold Inspector, Elaine Burtenshaw, said: "Complaints regarding anti-social behaviour near The Village Inn, Coulsdon Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill, were first raised at a neighbourhood panel meeting. Since then the local Safer Neighbourhood Team have been working with the landlord to tackle the issue. The landlord has introduced a number of changes to the outside of the pub in order to minimise disturbance to local residents. Reports of residents being 'terrorised' by pub-goers at The Village Inn is not a picture we recognise. Local officers have been made aware of some reports of anti-social behaviour but that does not extend to threats of violence, numerous criminal damages or residents feeling intimidated."