Concern as plans to give EHOs power to close pubs are unveiled

Proposals to give Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) the powers to shut down noisy and rowdy pubs could spell trouble for licensees.

Under the new Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, which was published last month (March 27), Home Secretary David Blunkett is planning to give councils greater powers so that local authorities have the strength to tackle nuisance behaviour.

If the plans get the go-ahead it will mean that the bill will give EHOs the same powers as the police - allowing them to walk into a pub and shut it down on the spot.

But many fear this will lead to licensees being victimised. Critics have said the current laws, which allow police to shut down premises, are adequate.

Mark Hastings, spokesman for the British Beer & Pub Association, said EHOs should not have the responsibility to shut pubs down.

"This will be a concern for the industry if it is pushed through. These powers currently lie with the police and this is where they should stay."

Licensee Patrick Moroney, who runs the Fountain Pub in New Malden, Surrey, said he was deeply concerned.

"It's worrying because you could find yourself being victimised if someone keeps complaining about you. The powers should stay with the police."

However, a spokesman for the Home Office said the anticipated changes would make towns and cities safer for the majority of law-abiding people.

He said: "The aim is to cut all situations of anti-social behaviour, including excessive noise and nuisance, but at the minute these are only proposals.

"The behaviour of an anti-social minority can ruin the lives of decent law-abiding customers - those people that want a few drinks on a Friday night don't want to put up with their behaviour."

Senior police officers are already able to immediately close pubs and clubs for disorder and noise disturbance following the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. The Home Office said it could not confirm when final details of the bill would be available.