Blair pledges support for 24-hour licensing
by Ewan Turney Prime Minister Tony Blair has confirmed his support for 24-hour licensing despite police chiefs warning Britain faces an epidemic of binge drinking and public disorder if a more "holistic" approach to the issue is not sought. The warning comes as the Government revealed an 11% increase in violent crime half of which are blamed on alcohol. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has claimed the results of the summer blitz proved Britain is not yet ready for 24-hour opening. ACPO head of licensing issues, Chris Allison, said: "The result will be more people under the influence of alcohol or drunk, and this will lead to crime and disorder." Blair addressed ACPO's concerns at his monthly press conference where he said the Licensing Act was "often misunderstood". He said he believed it is better to deal with specific problem areas and individuals than to compromise the right of law-abiding citizens to a late-night drink. "There is a quid pro quo for the relaxation of licensing hours," he stressed. "On the other hand the police and local authorities, even in fact local citizens, are going to have the ability to shut down a pub or club where there are continual problems." Blair has promised to look at the "necessary measures" to combat alcohol-related crime over the next few weeks. However, Allison warned that implementing a solution to alcohol-fuelled crime would not be easy and requires a holistic view. Local authorities should invest in a public education programme to help change the binge-drinking culture. There would also be a further crackdown on venues encouraging excessive drinking. Allison added: "Where such preventative measures fail, enforcement action and a sanction regime, consistently applied in the courts, will act as a real deterrent.
