By Vivienne Russell | 23 March 2012
Local authorities will be able to charge a levy on drinking establishments with late-night licensing under the government’s crackdown on alcohol abuse.
The receipts from this levy would help fund the extra policing costs associated with late-night drunkenness.The proposal is included in the Alcohol Strategy, launched by the Home Office today. This promised, for the first time, a minimum unit price for alcohol. Views are also being sought on a ban on multi-price promotions in shops.
Home Secretary Theresa May said the effects of dangerous drinking meant ‘a sensible price’ needed to be put on drinks that cause harm.
She said: ‘Most drinks will not be affected, but cheap vodka, super-strength cider and lagers will go up in price. The dangerous drinks will become more expensive; the price of a normal pint in the local pub will not increase by a single penny.’
Other measures being flagged up in the strategy will take effect following the passage of the Police, Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. These include rights for all community residents to object to licensing applications, not just those who live close to the premises. Authorities will also have tougher powers to crack down on irresponsible premises and suspend licences.
The Local Government Association said national gestures such as minimum pricing would go only part of the way towards tackling binge drinking.
Mehboob Khan, chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, said: ‘Cheap drinks are only part of the problem, and a focus solely on making alcohol less affordable would risk driving more people to buying potentially dangerous drinks on the black market.’
He added that the licensing system needed to allow councils to respond to people’s concerns and refuse late-night licences in areas already saturated with such places.
‘As well as paying for policing, the introduction of a late-night levy for pubs and clubs should also ensure that local authorities are properly resourced to check licensed premises are keeping to the conditions of their licence like pricing, capacity and opening hours,’ Khan said.
Chief constable Jon Stoddart, who speaks on alcohol issues for the Association of Chief Police Offices, said he welcomed any approach that helped reduce the supply of cheap drinks and gave communities a greater over the availability of alcohol in their areas.
‘Week in week out in town centres across the country, the police have to deal with the consequences of cheap alcohol and irresponsible drinking.
The growing trend for “pre-loading” means that young people are often drunk before they even enter a bar. By the time they hit the streets at closing time they are more likely to get involved in crime and disorder or injure themselves or others.’
