Pubs and clubs should pay for extra policing
January 19, 2005 12:00 AM
More police will help to offset problems at closing time
Cllr Geoff Jones (Clifton East Ward) who is a member of the City council's licensing committee, has added his voice to those calling for a levy on city centre pubs and clubs in order to pay for increased city centre policing, once 24 hour licensing goes ahead.
Reports have suggested that the Government was considering a levy on the consumption of alcohol to fund increased city centre policing if 24?hour licensing goes ahead. But Licensing Minister, Richard Caborn has rejected proposals to oblige licensees to meet the costs of any additional policing which may be made necessary by the new hours. The backlash against plans to liberalise Britain's drinking laws has gathered pace with the issue provoking splits within the Labour Party. Senior backbenchers and the police have all expressed reservations over the proposed 24 hour licenses set to come into force in November.
"It is disappointing that Labour in Westminster appears to be ruling out a levy on pubs and clubs to pay for increased policing", said Cllr Jones. "If it is good enough for football clubs to pay for more police on match days, why shouldn't pubs and clubs have to pay too? Officers are drawn away from their normal roles to police city centres leaving people with less protection and bigger tax bills to pay for pub and club profits. The financial implication of this new law are huge and many cities, including Bristol, will struggle. There may now be a case for regulating prices during happy hours which can be a large factor in binge drinking."
"Given the popularity of City Centres in particular as a venue for relaxation involving the consumption of alcohol, it is a racing certainty that many licensees in the city centre and perhaps elsewhere will take advantage of any relaxation. If their actions lead to the need for extra policing, by what right do they expect the ordinary taxpayer to stump up for it? It should be part of the social responsibility of the license provision. After all, they will be seeing a huge increase in their profits."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats