Glass bans a police PR stunt, says BEDA
Glass bans are a facile way for the police to score publicity points - that's the view of Bar Entertainment & Dance Association (Beda) consultant Jon Collins.
There are believed to be around six forces now pushing for glass bans, including Bournemouth, Reading and Northampton, while two Early Day Motions calling for a ban on glass containers after 11pm have received support from many MPs.
Calling for a glass ban is an easy way for a police officer to get publicity and promotionBar Entertainment & Dance Association (Beda) consultant Jon Collins
Collins said: "Calling for a glass ban is an easy way for a police officer to get publicity and promotion because they are seen to be standing up for the safety of local people.
"For more than 10 years we have been stamping out fires where these calls for glass bans have occurred. But now it really feels like it is bubbling up once more."
Beda is working with solicitors Poppleston Allen to revise and update a report it produced in response to Torbay Council's move to ban glass bottles as a condition of public entertainment licences in 1993.
Beda does not oppose glass bans in problem premises but the organisation is strongly against blanket bans.
"Glass bans fly in the face of the Licensing Act 2003, in that there should be tailored conditions for individual premises," said Graeme Cushion of Poppleston Allen.
"We need to ensure local authorities realise all the issues involved - for example, plastic is not as widely available as they think and costs a good deal more."
