Pubs face yellow and red card scheme
The Government has ruled out significant changes to the licensing laws after publishing its long-awaited review of the new Licensing Act this week.
But pubs face a series of clampdowns aimed at combating binge drinking and drunkenness including a controversial yellow and red card sanction scheme for erring licensees.
Another major proposal raises the prospect of blanket opening restrictions between 3am and 6am in problem town centres after an increase in violent crime was reported between these hours.
The proposals are:
• Yellow & red card warning system for licensees• Possible opening restrictions between 3am & 6am in some areas• Possible supermarket alcohol till sale restrictions• Two strikes and out for off-licence sales to under 18s• £2,500 fine for people refusing to forfeit alcohol in a public place• Increased public dispersal powers for police• Extension in the use of young persons' Acceptable Behaviour Contracts• New research into post midnight drinking patterns
The review points to a "mixed picture" of the impact of the new Licensing Act, introduced in November 2005.
Crime and alcohol consumption are down overall but disorder and alcohol-related violence has increased during the early hours.
Culture secretary Andy Burnham has called on councils and police to make better use of their new powers to tackle binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence.
The soccer-style card scheme will see premises issued with a yellow warning put on immediate probation together with tough sanctions while a red card, for the most serious licensing breaches, will mean revocation of the licence.
"Breach your licensing conditions and you face severe and costly restrictions on your business," Burnham warned.
The thrust of the proposed legislation outlined in the review focuses on supermarkets and off-licences indicating the government sees the sale of cheap below cost alcohol as a major source of social drinking problems.
Supermarkets
Stores could face strict controls on the number of check-outs able to process alcohol sales with off-licences facing the prospect of an immediate licence revocation for those found guilty of a second offence of under age sales.
The review also contains recommendations to increase fines for people refusing to forfeit alcohol in a designated public place up to £2,500.
Despite concerns about binge drinking and alcohol-related crime the review indicates the Licensing Act, which came into force in November 2005, has been a relative success.
Relative success
The Government points to a 1% fall in overall crime and a 10% drop in violent crime since the new Act came into effect.
Fewer than 4% of premises applied to sell alcohol round the clock under the new Act accounting for just 5,400 venues many of which are hotels and supermarkets.
Only 470 pubs, bars and nightclubs are open 24 hours and average closing times across all premises increased by only 21 minutes.
