'No rise in disorder from Licensing Act'

11-Aug-2008 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 20:03 GMT

Hard facts prove there has been no rise in disorder, says BBPA

The industry has once again rubbished reports that relaxed licensing hours has led to a wave of disorder and says the rise in fixed penalty notices simply means police are doing their job more effectively.

The industry has once again rubbished reports that relaxed licensing hours has led to a wave of disorder.

The Telegraph reported that in the past year 161,431 fixed penalty notices for disorder were handed out compared to 68,324 in 2004/05 for over-16s - the year before the Licensing Act was introduced.

But the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said the rise in fines simply meant police were now enforcing the law more effectively.

The paper obtained the information under the Freedom of Information Act. "What 24-hour licensing has done is to give us more problems at three, four and five in the morning," said Northumbria chief constable Mike Craik.

"It is drinking that is driving the levels of notices up. More than half are given to drunks and I would say this is the case across the country."

However, a recent Depatment of Health consultation document said alcohol related crime had fallen by a third - from 1.5m offences in 1997 to 1m in 2007.

"Plain common sense tells you that an increase in penalties does not equate to an increase in crime," said BBPA director of communications Mark Hastings.

"It purely shows that the police are doing their job and handing out penalties, rather than letting people off. All the evidence shows alcohol related crime is falling.

"The hard facts tell the real story, not the hype."

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Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) chief executive Nick Bish welcomed the news of a 136% increase in penalty notices.

"It's good to see that the police are now using the tools they have been given to tackle the irresponsible minority committing such offences, who often ruin the social scene for the vast majority of the responsible public," he said.

"The ALMR has long been calling for the uptake of these new powers. It is only right that those who break the law can now be punished accordingly."

A Department of Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: "The recent evaluation of the Licensing Act showed that it has not led to an increase in crime and disorder.

"The average closing time has increased by only 21 minutes and overall both crime and consumption are down."