'More needed' to tackle drinking

Jul 28 2010

The benefits of 24-hour drinking have failed to materialise and tougher action is needed to tackle alcohol-related problems, the Home Secretary said.

Theresa May unveiled plans to tackle violent disorder and other problems caused by alcohol ahead of a key speech on anti-social behaviour.

Measures to make it easier for communities to influence licensing decisions, tougher penalties for those selling alcohol to children and higher licensing fees to cover the cost of extra policing are also being considered, as is a ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price.

Last year there were almost one million alcohol-related violent crimes, with a fifth of all violent incidents taking place in or around a pub or club, and almost two-thirds of these happening at night, the Home Office said.

The Government plans to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder, which costs the taxpayer between £8 billion and £13 billion each year, by giving authorities the power to crack down on the premises that cause problems.

Mrs May said: "The benefits promised by the 24-hour drinking 'cafe culture' have failed to materialise and in its place we have seen an increase in the number of alcohol-related incidents and drink-fuelled crime and disorder.

"We know that the majority of pubs and bars are well-run businesses but the Government believes that the system needs to be rebalanced in favour of the local communities they serve with tougher action taken to crack down on the small number of premises who cause problems."

The range of options being considered in an overhaul to the Licensing Act also include making it easier for communities to influence licensing decisions by allowing local authorities to consider the views of the wider community, not just those living close to premises; taking tough action against under-age drinking by doubling the fine to £20,000 for those found persistently selling alcohol to children, and tightening up rules for temporary licences - often used to get around the restrictions of a permanent licence, by limiting the number that can be applied for in any one year.