The problems of late night drinking - Home Office publishes consultation report

The government has published the results of its consultation concerning late night drinking and measures proposed to deal with the problems of public disorder, drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.

Some of the main points include:

• Local authorities and the police will have stronger powers to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises that are causing problems in the local area
• EMROs (early morning alcohol restriction orders) will allow licensing authorities to restrict sales of alcohol in the whole or a part of their areas for any specified period between 12am and 6am if they consider this appropriate for the promotion of the statutory licensing objectives
• The late night levy gives a power to licensing authorities to introduce a charge for all premises in the local authority area that are authorised to sell alcohol between midnight and 6am. The option to implement the levy will be left entirely at the discretion of the licensing authority, which will make the decision based on the situation in its local area.
• Prior to making a decision to implement the levy, the licensing authority will discuss with the relevant chief officer of police, the PCC (from November 2012) and local police to decide whether it is appropriate to introduce the levy in its area.
• The 2011 Act provides residents with new opportunities to be involved in licensing decisions by removing the requirement that they must demonstrate vicinity to premises before making a representation. Local residents will be able to shape their local night-time economy through contacting their local councillors and PCC to recommend the implementation of the levy in their area

For the full report please click here

Tweet