Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker visited Manchester to hear about projects to reduce the harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Greater Manchester is one of 20 areas taking part in the Local Alcohol Action Areas (LAAAs) scheme. Its aim, to cut alcohol-related crime and disorder and reduce the damage caused to people’s health.
The Home Office minister and Lib Dem MP Norman Baker said: “The coalition government is taking a wide range of action to tackle excessive alcohol consumption, which damages health, local communities and the economy. In Manchester I have seen first hand what can be achieved when local areas tackle the problem from all angles. Local authorities from all ten boroughs in Greater Manchester have worked together to come up with a unified strategy to address alcohol harms.
“The Local Alcohol Action Area scheme is just one of the ways we are cracking down on this problem. We have also given local areas the power to restrict the sale of alcohol in the early hours and to ensure that those who profit from a late night licence help pay towards the costs of policing.”
According to the Home Office work going on under the LAAA scheme includes police co-ordinating their efforts with door staff at pubs and clubs and voluntary groups such as Street Pastors. Hospital A&E departments are agreeing to share anonymous data on violent incidents to help local police direct resources better, and schools and local businesses are collaborating to tackle under-age drinking.
As reported in the April print issue of Professional Security magazine, the BSIA spring conference and exhibition in Manchester heard from a senior police officer that the force might not be able to guarantee safety after 3am, given the sheer size and all-night nature of the city’s pub and club trade.
