Government backs action against pub thugs
Assaults on bar staff can not be tolerated and serious assaults should always result in prosecution.
Court not Caution: Government is listening
That's the welcome news from the Government in response to Pubwatch's Court not Caution campaign, which has chalked up notable success.
The Government was responding to a petition, signed by 814 people, calling for tougher action on thugs who attack bar staff.
It said that officials from the Alcohol Strategy Unit in the Home Office has already met campaigners to discuss a solution to the problem.
"The Government appreciates that retailers and their staff have experienced problems whilst upholding their licensing responsibilities," it said.
"It is clear that assaults on staff working in licensed premises cannot be tolerated, and serious assaults should always result in an offender being prosecuted at court."
The Government, did however, defend its right to issue cautions rather than prosecute through the courts in some circumstances as it allowed authorities to deal "swiftly" with low-level offenders.
It said: "Issuing an offender with a simple caution does not mean that they are getting off without a penalty.
"The caution forms part of their criminal record and may influence how they are dealt with should they come to the notice of the police again.
"Simple cautions may also be cited in court in any subsequent proceedings and can be made known to a prospective employer."
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