Licensing Act has not increased crime
Critics of the new licensing regime are continuing to be confounded as new government research shows it is not causing a rise in crime.
Latest Home Office figures fly in the face of media coverage prior to the new Act, which suggested it would lead to Armageddon on Britain's streets.
And a straw poll of five police forces by The Publican has largely backed up this conclusion with all but one reporting no negative effects from the new regime. Suffolk Police
has even reported a 2.5 per cent drop in violent crime.
The Home Office collated statistics from 23 police forces in England and Wales which showed that levels of violence and criminal damage between 11pm and 2am had remained static up to March 2006.
The report, Crime in England and Wales 2005-6, stated: "The data shows no indication of a rise in the overall level of offences or a shift in the timing of offences as a result of the change in the opening hours of licensed premises."
Mark Hastings, communications director at the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "Since November we have been getting reports from police that there has been no increase in crime and disorder and in many areas there has even been a significant reduction."
The new Act has had a positive effect on the night-time economy and communities, he added.
The Canterbury Arms in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester has a licence until 1am every night. Licensee Ian Wharmby has only seen benefits from the new regime.
"It's been very positive for us and one of the best things that's ever happened," he said. "People come out later, are more relaxed and just wander off at the end of the night. There is no longer the mad rush for last orders."
The only negative came from Kent Police, which recorded a 24 per cent rise in violent crime between November 2005 and March 2006. A spokeswoman said the new Act "may" explain the increase.
New Act: early signs are good
A group of local councils has hailed the Licensing Act as a success, according to a new report.
But the 10 Scrutiny Councils,
who began work last November, have recommended some areas
for improvement.
The report said: "The licensing regime is still bedding down and it is still too early to say... but the early signs from this sample of licensing authorities are encouraging."
Among the findings were that licensees are now more aware of their responsibilities and residents are more aware of their rights with regard to licensed premises.
However, the councils recommended changing the current
advertising arrangements, increasing the amount of time during which police can object to a temporary event and stated that the government should issue further guidance to pubs on how to deal with residents' concerns.
Licensing minister Shaun Woodward said: "This report is encouraging. It shows residents are engaging in the licensing process - and their concerns are being taken seriously. What is particularly significant is the application process weeded out rogue premises. It made problem venues smarten up their act in order to get a new licence and it made licensees take their responsibilities far more seriously."
What the police think
Devon and Cornwall Police
Violent assaults down 10 per cent. Police say fears that assaults would simply happen later in the night have not proved correct.
Merseyside Police
There has been an overall decrease in crime in Liverpool City Centre.
Suffolk Police
There has been a drop in violent crime in the region - down 2.5 per cent in the last year (April 1 to March 31).
West Midlands Police
There has been no rise in violence
Kent Police
Between November 2005 and March 2006 there were 489 recorded incidents of violent crime in Kent, a 24 per cent rise compared to the same period the previous year.
