Social network sites have been responsible for a fair share of public order incidents.

As the owner of an IT business, he is well aware how powerful a tool internet sites like Facebook can be.

Mr Pringle reopened the Hole In The Wall Inn in Hebden Bridge three weeks ago. It had been closed by its owners Punch Taverns two years previously.

Like any licensee he is keen to make sure his business runs smoothly and attracts the right kind of clientele.

You can imagine then how he felt when he discovered more than 100 people on a Facebook Network had been invited to go to his premises, cause "a night of mayhem", bring their stash, which is a drugs reference, and "claim back their territory".

This is pretty emotive language and one that the majority of people would take extremely seriously indeed.

Having been informed of the sinister nature of the thread running on its service, Facebook dragged its heels before removing the offending posting which seems odd as, one might imagine, it would have become, in part at least, culpable had anything untoward happened.

The group creator when contacted by the Courier said it was a joke done out of boredom and no harm was meant.

That is all well and good, but it is not how it seemed to an innocent onlooker.

Mr Pringle is entitled to run his pub in any manner he wishes.
He wants to give the town another venue for live music and create bed and breakfast accommodation too.

If this was a joke, it is now over. If it was not, the police must get involved as quickly as possible.