Problem pubs face police crackdown

Police and councils have been advised to prioritise 'problem' pubs when they crack down on unlicensed venues after the Licensing Act goes live.

Pubs that have been granted a premises licence but have not been issued with it are unlikely to be targeted after 24 November.

A joint statement from the local government co-ordinator LACORS, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Local Government Association (LGA) says venues that have not received their new licence by 24 November should 'not generally be targeted'.

The only exception will be where 'levels of crime, disorder, nuisance or antisocial behaviour are of concern'.

'After 24 November councils will be prioritising premises that are causing problems for communities - especially in the busy pre-Christmas period,' said Bryony Rudkin, who chairs the LGA's Safer Communities Board.

The news comes as new research from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) reveals that only one in five pubs has been sent the new premises licence just one week before the new regime begins. Trade leaders welcomed the approach.

Association of Licensed Mul-tiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish said: 'This is absolutely right. We're in this situation because of a disappointing performance by central Government to deliver the tools to do the job but most local authorities have worked hard and so have operators.

'My advice to anyone who hasn't got their licence yet is to confirm with the police and local authorities that they are going to trade in accordance with their application or old licence and to run a tight ship.'

BBPA director of communications Mark Hastings said: 'It's not as though these pubs haven't got a licence or been granted a licence; they haven't been sent a licence by the local authority. Therefore it's only sensible that a light touch should be applied for a period.'