Tax on drunkenness

1:39pm Friday 7th March 2008

THE changes to Britain's licensing laws were much feared. The introduction of 24-hour drinking was thought to be the herald of unrestrained disorder.

The review of the changes introduced in 2005 has revealed that has not turned out to be the case. Overall, drinking has not increased. Neither have instances of drink-related violence.

One aspect we hoped might change as a result of the liberalisation of the law was Britain's drinking culture. Unfortunately, that has not happened. Binge drinking is still a major cause of disorder and ill health. Too many young people still drink too much and think a successful night out can only be judged by the level of intoxication reached.

What we have also witnessed in recent years is the concentration of drinking establishments in certain parts of our towns and cities. One late-night bar seems to lead to another and, before you know it, a street is dominated by places serving alcohol. In our market towns, the High Street or market place is increasingly the focus of a great deal of anti-social behaviour.

While the police no longer have a peak of activity just after the old closing time, they are kept busy dealing with drunks until well into the early hours and that has consequences for police resources. More officers working at night mean fewer working through the day.

This week, the police repeated a good point about their depleted resources. Using the "polluter pays principle", the police suggest the licensed trade should contribute more towards the costs of policing the outcome of extended hours.

The Government clearly accepts that rogue establishments - those that sell to the underaged or otherwise breach their licence conditions - should be penalised, but the yellow and red-card system seems something of a gimmick.

What is needed is a system of levies for individual establishments.

Those establishments whose customers cause the problems should have to pay for the extra policing. If that cost is in turn passed on to customers, they might be discouraged from having that "one last drink" that tips them over the edge from amiable buffoonery to aggressive mindlessness.

A tax on drunks it might be, but it could also force pubs and bars to take greater responsibility for its customers' behaviour.