In a clear signal of zero tolerance to alcohol related disorder, the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, set out details of a nationwide campaign by police and trading standards officers to target those who sell alcohol to under 18s, bars and clubs which promote irresponsible and rowdy behavior and drunken individuals who cause violent disorder.
The Government has pledged £2.5 million to boost a range of specialist operations including:
* issuing of fixed penalty notices for alcohol related disorder;
* test purchasing activity to target underage sales;
* early intervention using CCTV to diffuse potential disorder;
* closure of premises using existing and tough new powers in the Licensing Act 2003; and
* multi-agency enforcement action against problem premises/retailers.
The campaign will begin today and will run until the end of the year with all forces in England and Wales participating. This is the third dedicated crack down in the last two years. Previous campaigns have been very successful, the most recent resulting in a nine per cent drop in serious assaults.
Mr Clarke said:
"We are determined to crack down firmly on those who get drunk and cause misery to others - everyone has the right to enjoy a pleasant drink free from fear or intimidation.
"There already exist a wide range of powers from fixed penalty notices to orders to close pubs and nightclubs instantly for up to 24 hours. The Licensing Act will give the police even more power to close down problem bars and increase penalties for premises that sell to underage drinkers.
"The message is clear - go out, have good time and enjoy a drink. But if you are intent on causing trouble, be certain that there will be a heavy price to pay. "
From 24 November forces will also be able to use the tough new powers in the Licensing Act which will:
expand police powers to close down disorderly and noisy licensed premises including all entertainment premises, night cafés and night take-aways;
empower the police, residents and others to seek a review of licences, backed by an extended range of measures which impact on businesses and their profits including limiting opening hours;
increase fines - as well as the potential suspension for up to six months or forfeiture of personal licences, following conviction for offences of allowing disorderly conduct or sales of alcohol to people who are drunk;
increase penalties for breach of licence conditions - a person faces a maximum fine of £20,000 or imprisonment for up to six months or both; and
increase penalties for selling alcohol to children (up to £5000) and make it possible for courts to suspend or forfeit personal licences at first offence and not only on second conviction as now.
In addition, there are a raft of new measures contained within the Violent Crime Reduction Bill designed to tackle alcohol related disorder, including a new civil order to ban individuals who are responsible for alcohol-related disorder from certain areas and from licensed premises and on the spot 48 hour exclusions for those who represent a public order risk.
Tessa Jowell, Culture Secretary, said:
"Not only will this campaign be the biggest ever - it'll have the sharpest teeth too, thanks to the tough new police powers in the Licensing Act.
"Rogue licensees and those who engage in drunken yobbery can consider themselves on notice from today - the party can continue, but if you step out of line, you can expect the full force of the law to come down on you."
Michael Craik, chief constable of Northumbria police and ACPO lead on alcohol, said:
"This campaign is a co-ordinated national crack down on alcohol- fuelled violence and disorder occurring in our town centres - such behaviour is illegal, disrespectful and will not be tolerated.
"Everyone should be clear that we mean business - not just those who engage in drunken anti-social behaviour, but also rogue licensees who promote irresponsible and rowdy behaviour.
"The majority of us enjoy a night out and don't want it ruined by drunken louts. Taking firm action against those who binge drink and refuse to take responsibility for themselves allows the rest of us to enjoy responsible 'grown-up' drinking."
Ron Gainsford, Trading Standards Institute Chief Executive, said,
"We in Trading Standards are constantly staggered by the volume of illegal alcohol sales to under 18s. There can be no excuse for retailers, no matter what their size, selling to youngsters.
Under age sales easily lead into binge drinking, anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder. The health and welfare of young people and communities are too important to ignore - that is why it is imperative we stop alcohol passing across the counter to the hands of vulnerable minors."
