Alcohol highlighted as top risk to health

ALCOHOL HAS been highlighted as one of the top five 'greatest risks' to health.

The five national priorities set for health enforcement in local authorities include air quality, food hygiene, improving health in the workplace and fair trading, and follow recommendations by the Rogers Report.

The report, reviewed by Westminster Council chief executive Peter Rogers, claimed that enforcement of the new regime is essential because of the violence and health effects associated with alcohol.

Drawing on statistics from the British Crime Survey the report said that "almost half of all violence is alcohol-related", and that "one in five violent incidents were found to occur in or around public houses".

Mr Rogers said: "For the first time enforcement priorities have been based on the evidence of risk. This will help us tackle the biggest risks as well as helping those who are regulated know what is expected of them."

However, latest figures indicate that violent crime around pubs has dropped since the new Licensing Act. The Metropolitan Police reported

last November, (a year into the new regime) that total crime was down 5.5 per cent.

Dennis Reed, licensee at the Speaker in Mr Rogers' borough of Westminster, said drink-related disorder in the area had declined. "We always said the longer hours wouldn't cause trouble, because people pace their drinks better and don't drink as quickly," he said.

Mark Hastings, director of communications at the British Beer & Pub Association, added: "It is important that genuine risk assessments are undertaken, rather than blanket bans. We want better regulation, not more regulation."