THE Royal Navy has insisted it will not hesitate to take action against any of its personnel who behave unacceptably in public.

The service was reacting after a nightclub imposed a three-month ban on sailors and other military personnel after what it called a number of “serious incidents” - including one in which its staff were attacked.

The decision by management at the Desire nightclub in Balloch followed a recent court case in which a Helensburgh restaurateur was cleared of attacking two off-duty servicemen.

A sheriff decided he could not be sure Milan Nikolic hadn't acted in self-defence in the incident at the Riverbank bar and restaurant in April 2016.

The statement, issued by Desire management to our sister paper, the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter, said they believed a ban was “the only option” after a series of incidents involving military personnel – including one in which staff were attacked when a group tried to gain entry to a children's party.

A Navy spokesman said: “Royal Navy Police are currently conducting high visibility patrols in the area, and regularly attend both Pubwatch meetings and meetings with Helensburgh business owners.

“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on the admission policies of business establishments as this would be a matter for the proprietor.

“The Naval Service population reflects society as a whole and the vast majority behave responsibly and are valued members of the community.

“Sadly, there can sometimes be a minority whose behaviour is unacceptable.

“The Service takes a dim view of those who do not meet the high standards expected of them and there are a range of measures which can be taken, including and up to discharge from the Service.

“The Naval Base values its strong links with the local community and will not hesitate to undertake measures to ensure that Service personnel maintain disciplinary standards.”

Following the Helensburgh incident, a spokesman for Vale of Leven Pubwatch said: “I can confirm this was discussed at our recent pub watch meeting and one of our licensed premises members did mention they would be enforcing a three-month ban on navy and military personnel in their Balloch venue due to recent behaviour of some individuals from the base.

“This decision was a last resort for them but after long consultation with the RNP, MoD, and Police Scotland, it was seen as the only way to highlight the problem.”

Mr Nikolic was cleared on June 9 of assaulting navymen John Hamilton and Matthew Liptrott, who entered his Riverbank Bar and Restaurant in April last year and acted abusively towards staff.

Mr Nikolic was found not guilty of the charges after successfully arguing his actions were made in self-defence, and called on the Navy to do more to improve the behaviour of personnel when in the town and out of the base.