Public use new powers to close licensed premises

The police and the public have been quick to use their new powers to ask for reviews of licensed premises.

In several cases, licences were suspended for up to three months or revoked altogether.

The Licensing Act 2003, which came into effect on 24th November 2005, gave people the chance to have a say in local licensing decisions that might affect them. Residents and the police can object to a new licence application or object about premises they consider to be causing a nuisance. They have the power to ask for a review of a licence whenever a problem occurs.

Figures released by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport show that in the 12 months up to 31st March 2007, there were 670 completed reviews.

They led to 90 licences being revoked and 91 being suspended for up to three months. In addition, 110 premises were forced to change their opening hours and 390 had other conditions placed on their licences.