Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth has confirmed that the government is looking into proposals to charge pubs for policing.
The news has infuriated licensees because they say they already pay a huge amount in taxes and business rates and this should cover the cost to put more bobbies on the beat.
Speaking at a British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) conference on crime and disorder partnerships, the MP for Coventry said the government was seriously considering introducing a levy. Mr Ainsworth said this would be included in a White Paper on anti-social behaviour due to be published in the next couple of weeks.
This confirms speculative reports that the pub trade could be asked to cover the costs of crime and disorder.
Mr Ainsworth said: "It is something we are considering. Although we recognise that 99 per cent of people enjoy a drink with no problems whatsoever, on a Friday and a Saturday night police cells are full to the brim.
"On any other night of the week, however, they are literally empty and all this is mainly due to alcohol," he said.
But he added that ministers were aware of the great contribution that the licensed trade made to the economy.
"The night time economy is of growing importance and we're doing as much as we can in Coventry to grow the night time economy of the city."
But on the whole he praised crime and disorder partnerships, which he said were working well, tackling trouble spots and reducing problems.
Crime and Disorder Partnerships were launched after the introduction of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which placed a duty on local authorities to work together with the police, local businesses and other organisations to reduce crime and disorder on the UK's streets.
Meanwhile, Enterprise Inns boss Ted Tuppen took the opportunity to launch a scathing attack on companies that force their managers to offer cut price drinks promotions.
He told delegates at the same conference that many licensees are forced to offer all-you-can drink deals because pub companies are thinking only about their profits. This is not socially responsible and only adds to crime and disorder in their local areas, he added.
"The industry recognises that there is a link between alcohol -related crime and pubs," Mr Tuppen said. "These offers that say 'all-you-can drink for a fiver' are dangerous and irresponsible. They do nothing for the reputation of the industry.
"I would like to see the industry self regulate before we are regulated in some other way."
Last month, Alcohol Concern and the National Addiction Centre issued a stern warning to the drinks industry to stop promoting unlimited-drinks offers before the government intervenes.
But the British Beer & Pub Association believes there shouldn't be a blanket ban because it says some promotions are responsible.
Related articles:
BBPA attacks police fee plan (13 February 2003)