Leader
| NORTH YORKSHIRE |  | | | CLEVELAND | | | | COUNTY DURHAM | | |
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Tax on drunkenness
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.
1:39pm Friday 7th March 2008
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