Alcohol Concern comments on new Licensing Act

13th January 2005

Geethika Jayatilaka, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Alcohol Concern, says:

?In theory, the aims behind the Licensing Act are worthy ? reducing crime and disorder and tackling the binge drinking culture - but at its heart the licensing Act is a de-regulatory act. In practice, given the UK?s prevailing drinking culture, these changes are more likely to increase crime and disorder rather than curb it.

?It is entirely appropriate for local licensing decisions to be transferred from magistrates to local authorities as they have a duty to prevent crime and disorder in their areas. However, the provisions of the Act and the accompanying Government guidance severely hamper their ability to manage the night-time economy. Under the new Act it is very difficult for local authorities to make objections to a license application and few authorities can match the legal might of drinks companies in the courts when it comes to defending licensing decisions.

?Alcohol Concern wants to see a robust licensing regime that will create a safe, pleasant drinking environment for all members of the community. We recognise that extending licensing hours, without putting in place the necessary infrastructure to cope with the impact of people drinking into the early hours is a recipe for disaster.

?Combined problems such as increased street refuse, noise from pubs and from people on their way home, not to mention the concentration of young people engaging in anti-social behaviour such as fighting and street urination can be intolerable for residents in central urban areas. Whilst trouble-makers are in the small minority, it is the majority of us who suffer, in terms of violence and disorder and in police and emergency services being diverted from attending more serious incidents.

?The Government has yet to finalise the license fees which Local Authorities will be able to charge. The current suggestions will simply not cover the costs of running the new regime, meaning that local residents may well end up subsidising businesses.

Under the new legislation local authorities need to be given the power and resources to manage the night-time economy in their areas. Similarly local services such as police need support to enable them to carry out their role in policing alcohol-related disorder. The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England outlines an Action Plan to reduce the problems that blight our town centres and we will be looking to the Government to take vigorous steps to ensure that the licensing regime reduces rather than increases problems.

?The national alcohol strategy for England outlines a specific role for the drinks industry in preventing alcohol-related disorder. However, the crackdowns last summer showed that the drinks industry has yet to get its house in order ? in an intelligence-led sting operation on premises believed to selling alcohol to ?underage drinkers, 52% of pubs and bars were found to sell to under 18 year olds as were 32% of off licences. Not to mention the numerous licensees that are irresponsibly selling alcohol to obviously intoxicated customers - to judge by the 6000 arrests and 4000 on- the-spot penalties that police officers made for alcohol-related offences.

?The Licensing Act was drawn up prior to national alcohol strategy and so the government needs to re-consider the impact that the new licensing provisions will have on their commitment to tackling alcohol related crime and disorder and to reducing health harms caused by excess drinking. ?



ENDS

For press enquiries contact Sophie Davison, Alcohol Concern press office, on 020 7928 7377.

Date: 13 January 2005