Police told to use existing powers on disorder
Police have come under fire for failing to use their existing powers to target irresponsible operators.
Lee Le Clercq, regional secretary for the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) in the North, slammed police forces across the country during the National Community Safety Network Conference in Liverpool.
He said that police already had the means to deal with problem pubs ahead of the introduction of alcohol dis-order zones (ADZs). ADZs are expected to be included in the upcoming Violent Crime Reduction Bill, which the government is due to publish within weeks.
Under the policy, designated areas where pubs or clubs are persistently causing disorder problems will be identified, with venues forced to contribute to policing costs.
Mr Le Clercq said: "Sadly the zone will also include pubs and clubs that do not offend. They will also include non-licensed businesses and residential areas. City dwellers could find themselves living in an ADZ.
"The police and licensing authorities have the necessary powers to crack down on pubs now, but no, we are going to have an ADZ and so bring everyone down to the base level. How does that provide an incentive to be responsible?
"Why not arrest the thugs bringing mayhem to the place, impose draconian conditions on the premises licence or take away the licence and close the place down?"
However, Irwin Turbitt, head of the Home Office's police standards unit, who also spoke at the conference said communities, including pubs, should work together to deal with problem venues, before any wider action is taken.
"The first approach should be to co-operate to resolve the situation rather than call the police," he said.
The BBPA and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers both told the government in consultation that naming and shaming areas with binge-drinking problems would make them no-go areas.
The Association of Chief Police Officers and many local councils have also criticised the government's plans as being unworkable.
