Staggered closing cuts drink related disorder

Staggered closing hours have helped reduce crime in pubs and clubs in Stamford, say Lincolnshire police and licensing chiefs.​ South Kevesten District Council has agreed that granting an extension to hours has worked in cutting the numbers of drink related incidents in the town.

This comes despite claims made by the Association of chief Police Officers last week that extending closing hours under the new licensing regime could lead to an increase in violent crime.

Since the new hours were introduced last summer in Stamford the Central Nightclub closes at 2.30am and the local pub the Periwig has an extension until 1am. Drink related crime near the pub between 11.15pm and 1am has dropped from 66 incidents to 61 and the nightclub from 77 incidents between May 2002 and March 2003 to 51 in 2003/2004.

In a report to the council's licensing committee, Inspector Mick Howells, Stamford Police Chief, said: "The extensions were granted in the hope they would spread the end-of-the-evening drinking, reduce the numbers collecting at late night refreshments houses and waiting for taxis, and thereby reduce disorder. These figures are set against a general increase in crime."

Bob Hadfield, head of environmental health and licensing at the council said that the new staggered closing times had worked because of good working relations with licensees in the area.

"We have taken the existing capacity and varied the time that people feed out on the streets. People are also staying in the pub later rather then going on to a nightclub," he said.