'Licensees are society's best policemen'
Licensees are one of society’s best policemen, a top officer told the National Pubwatch Conference today.
O'Brien praised licensees at the National Pubwatch Conference
Commander Simon O’Brien, head of alcohol licensing for the Association of Chief Police Officers, told the audience of licensees and others: “One of your best policemen is your publican who operates a well-run house.
“I do believe you do a very difficult job.”
O’Brien sounded a call for unity when he called for an end to “negative positioning”, particularly with the on-trade blaming the off-trade and vice versa.
“Different authorities and bodies have differing views and policies about the problem of alcohol but all of us must come together to help make our pubs and licensed premises safer places,” he told delegates.
“Demographics are changing. Some believe there are too many licensed premises and we have to ask whether we need a different mixture of venue in the future.”
The need for unity was echoed by the deputy head of the Home Office Alcohol Strategy Unit, Mark Cooper.
“We may all have different ideas, views and policies but we have to have one joint aim to ensure we get the end result we all want,” he said.
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