Punishing pubs and clubs in the courts for alcohol-related crime and disorder might be a deterrent, says a spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Chris Allison, a Commander in the Metropolitan Police, said: “While ACPO acknowledges the positive elements of the new Licensing Act, which will empower the authorities to impact on crime and disorder issues that result from licensed premises, it does have considerable concerns about the extension of the hours and the move towards 24 hour opening.
"This position was articulated when we submitted our response to the White Paper in 2000, and during 2002 and 2003 as the Licensing Bill was passing through government and our concerns come on two levels. The first is that it could result in people drinking until later and the night-time economy becoming busier, the second is that people are more likely to drink more. The result will be more people under the influence of alcohol or drunk, and this will lead to more crime and disorder. The implications for the Police Service in terms of additional workload are significant and officers will have to be diverted from other policing priorities and activities to undertake enforcement activity against those who are drunk and disorderly.
"The potential solution to alcohol fuelled crime and disorder is not simple but requires a holistic view. This means Local Authorities taking account of the effects and requirements of a night-time economy when planning future city and town centre areas, investing in a public education programme to help change the binge-drinking culture that exists and the licensing trade acting responsibly at all times, ensuring that they act within the law and do not encourage excessive drinking, either by irresponsible promotions or by premises design (e.g. no seating areas or no areas for drinks to be put down). Where such preventative measures fail, enforcement action and a sanction regime, consistently applied in the courts will act as a real deterrent."
