A policing farce

Related tags Home office Prime minister of the united kingdom

Despite no mention in the government's recent White Paper, the trade still fears it will pay for policing. Michelle Perrett finds out more.Plans to...

Despite no mention in the government's recent White Paper, the trade still fears it will pay for policing. Michelle Perrett finds out more.

Plans to charge pubs for policing have gone down like a lead balloon in the trade. The proposals were to be announced in the Home Office White Paper on anti-social behaviour but, to much relief, they were absent when the paper was published on March 12.

So what is actually happening in the government? Is the trade going to be charged for policing or not? Does anyone in the government have any idea what is going on?

It seems that in-fighting within government departments is set to cause more confusion on this issue for the pub industry.

It is believed that the Prime Minister's office has been leaning heavily on the Home Office to do something about anti-social behaviour. This led to a clash between the two departments - the Home Office is unhappy about the lack of cash it has received from the Treasury and is seeking ways of getting alternative funding to meet Downing Street's demands, while the Prime Minister keeps pulling the rug on its plans for reform. Despite the confusion, one thing is for sure - this fighting is not helping the pub trade clarify where it stands.

This week the Home Office confirmed that it is still considering the proposal to charge for policing, but it is now waiting for the results of the Department of Health's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy before it can make any decisions. This aims to tackle alcohol abuse and is set to come out next year.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We are concerned about the costs incurred in policing entertainment venues, particularly pubs and clubs, and sporting venues where policing demands impact on policing in the area.

"We are keen to explore how we might encourage and develop arrangements under which entertainment venues make a contribution to the policing and public order costs generated by their activities."

But during the debate on the Licensing Bill in the House of Lords last month, the government representative Baroness Blackstone refuted claims that the government had any such plans. She said: "We believe the industry contributes to the cost of policing and that the matter is properly dealt with in voluntary arrangements."

She was speaking about the initiative in Manchester's Peter Street, where the trade paid for an extra policeman to patrol the streets on Friday and Saturday nights.

But this still leaves the trade in the dark.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, believes that the trade already pays enough in fees, duty and taxes. He said: "We will fight our corner and demand that there should be no charge. Surely the left hand of the government should know what the right hand is doing. If the Prime Minister says we will not be charged, that should be the end of it, as it should be talked about in the Cabinet. The government departments should get their act together and allow licensees to run their businesses."

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, has spoken out against the proposal for police charges: "We are pleased there is no reference to policing in the White Paper, but we will be looking at the issue closely to ensure that the arguments against the proposal are clearly understood by all government departments.

"We will also be watching carefully to ensure a police levy doesn't come in at a later stage, either through the process of consultation or at the introduction of the bill."

So while the government is still slugging it out over whether to charge for policing, the pub industry will just have to wait and hope that the government sees sense.

The story so far...

  • Feb 17:​ Rumours circulate that the licensed trade could be charged for policing under the Home Office White Paper on anti-social behaviour.
    Full article:​ BBPA attacks police fee plan (13 February 2003

Feb 17:​ Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth confirms that the government is looking to charge pubs for policing - the details of which would be in its anti-social behaviour White Paper.
Full article:​ Minister confirms government is considering 'pay-for-policing' scheme (17 February 2003)

March 5:​ Prime minister Tony Blair is said to be outraged by the proposals, believing it will add a further burden on to the trade. It is thought that Mr Blair does not want to upset further an industry worth billions of pounds to the UK economy.
Full article:​ Government rift could spell end of 'pay-for-policing' plans (5 March 2003)

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