Attacked bar staff urged to speak out
Licensees, bar staff and doorstaff who've been attacked while at work have been urged to give feedback to the agency that's reviewing sentencing guidelines.
National Pubwatch chairman Steve Baker wants attackers to receive suitable penalties, following reports that many have been let off lightly.
"The Sentencing Council [which is consulting on sentencing guidelines] says it wants to hear from victims so my advice is this is an ideal time for them to talk about their experiences," Baker said.
Executive member of pub managers' union Licensees Unite, Dave Daly, said: "The system is letting our members down because the police seem too prepared to issue cautions instead of taking offenders to court.
"The police are very robust in their dealings with licensees but they are not meeting us half way and at the moment we are working in a one way street."
Meanwhile, a nightclub boss and a licensee caught up in vicious attacks by "yob drinkers" have called for tougher penalties for drunken hooligans.
Club manager Dave Cooper of RBs club in Chester criticised police after a youth was cautioned after leaving one of his staff with a suspected broken jaw.
Coventry licensee Harry Parker, whose face was cut and bruised when a youth allegedly pushed a beer glass in his face, says tougher sentences are the only way to cut down assaults on staff.
Parker, of the Railway at Balsall, said he was attacked after asking four youths for ID and it was still unclear whether his alleged offender was to be charged.
• Sentencing Council consultation.
