Isle of Man: Extended hours legislation brings drop in crime

Extending licensing hours in the UK could lead to a dramatic fall in alcohol-related crime, according to police on the Isle of Man.

Arrests on the island have fallen by approximately 40 per cent since reforms to the country's licensing laws were brought in last month.

The island has scrapped its antiquated licensing laws and introduced extended opening for pubs, bars and off-licences.

This confirms views from the UK trade that extended opening can only help to cut crime by staggering the times that customers are let out onto the streets.

Inspector Gary Roberts from the Isle of Man Constabulary said that staggering closing times had led to a reduction in crime.

Mr Roberts said: "Pubs and clubs are now closing between 12.30am and 3.30am and we have a lot less people on the streets at any one time."

The new legislation means that licensed premises can stay open all day and night if they wish but a separate licence is needed to play music between midnight and 7am.

Most clubs have applied for a licence until 3.30am allowing them to serve drinks after this time as long as they don't play music.

The news has added to the UK's disappointment that reforms were left out of the Queen's Speech.

Trade leaders are becoming impatient at the perceived lack of action by the Government over licensing reform.

It was hoped that the new department responsible for licensing, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, would be quick to announce its plans.

But, despite recent meetings between Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell MP and trade associations including the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association insiders say an announcement is still at least six weeks away.