New call for pubcos to fund more police

The issue of paid-for policing has raised its head again with former Home Office minister John Denham claiming that pub chains should pay for extra officers to deal with the effects of binge drinking.

His comments are believed to reflect Home Office views that pubs and clubs should contribute more to fight alcohol-fuelled disorder.

Speaking at the Institute of Licensing Conference on Monday, Denham said licensees should pay a levy to help fund the £1m cost of policing provincial towns on Saturday evenings.

"Business activities that, by their very nature, give rise to certain types of crime should make a greater contribution to the cost of policing. That principle should apply to the city centre clubs that fuel so much binge drinking and alcohol-related crime," he said.

"It's not just the worst run premises that are the problem. It's the simple fact of so many premises tipping so many drunken people onto the streets that absorbs huge police costs."

He added: "In practice, competition means that a levy would largely be absorbed by the pub companies."

The Home Office wants the industry to make voluntary contributions, and if this fails, will consider legislation in the new Parliament.

Bar Entertainment & Dance Association chief executive Jon Collins said: "The issue is not always automatically about more money and throwing extra police at a club. We can have a big impact by engaging with local authorities, as has been done in Manchester and Bedford.

"If there's a legitimate need for surplus funding then Business Improvement Districts have to be the way to go."