Pubs face instant closure as part of clamp down on binge drinking

As part of its clampdown on binge drinking the Government is introducing tougher sanctions against licensees who breach their licensing conditions.

Penalties include the instant closure of pubs and clubs in areas where disorder has occurred.

The measures were announced in a ministerial statement by the Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, as he revealed the initial findings of a study to evaluate the impact of the Licensing Act 2003.

Mr Burnham said the findings revealed a mixed picture and the new legislation had not led to the widespread problems that some had feared. The statement said: “Overall, crime and alcohol consumption are down. But alcohol-related violence has increased in the early hours of the morning and some communities have seen a rise in disorder.

“To specifically address the small but unacceptable proportion of violent crimes occurring in the early hours of the morning, we will undertake further comprehensive research into post-midnight drinking patterns and their impact on crime and order, and will not hesitate to take the necessary action through new legislation and enforcement measures to tackle this. But we will take immediate action now."

“First, we will utilise existing powers to identify problem premises. We will make it easier to review premises where local intelligence suggests there is a problem.”

“Second, we will encourage the imposition of tougher sanctions on those found to be breaching their licensing conditions. This includes the stipulation that there be far more instant closures of pubs and clubs in an area where there has been a disorder and indefinite closure by the courts for any breach of licence conditions."

“Third, we will change the offence of “persistently selling alcohol to a person under 18” from ‘three strikes’ to ‘two strikes’ in three months. This means that any seller who twice sells to under age drinkers and is caught doing so will immediately lose their licence."

“Finally, the message must be clear to all: breach your licensing conditions and you face severe and costly restrictions on your business – with a new “yellow card and red card” alert system. A yellow card will put the problem premises on immediate probation together with tough and uncompromising sanctions. And when the circumstances are right, it will be a straight red card leading to withdrawal of the licence.”

The Government also intends to bring forward legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol consumption. The proposed measures include making it easier for police to disperse anti-social drinkers and to increase the maximum fine for anyone not obeying an instruction to stop drinking in a designated public place from £500 to £2,500.

Mr Burnham said the measures announced so far are not the end of the story. Research is still being carried out and there will be further developments over the coming year.

We shall keep clients informed of developments.