Public urged to report pubs that serve drunks

by Ewan Turney

Hinckley police are urging the public to shop licensees who serve drunks and fuel binge drinking.

The new initiative is aimed at reducing violent crime in the Leicestershire town after recent crime figures revealed a rise in violent crime. There were 74 reported violent incidents in the town centre from April to June, compared to 47 in the same period last year.

'We can't be on the ground 24-7 and we would like the public to be our eyes and ears on the ground, said Inspector Sanjiv Pattani. 'This is a tactical option to collate intelligence and is part of a bigger picture. It is not about targeting licensees and it won't affect the majority who have properly-trained staff.

Pattani allayed fears that police action would immediately follow a complaint from a member of public. 'We would gather intelligence and look for further evidence, he said. 'If it is a one-off incident we would not take that matter forward and you need evidence. The force's priority is to reduce violent crime and make sure that we create an environment that everyone can enjoy.

Hinckley town centre Pubwatch chairman Kevin Thompson said licensees have a good relationship with police and would support the move as long as there was constant dialogue and it was policed fairly.

'The vast majority of licensees will have nothing to fear as I am confident they are already operating responsibly, he said.

However, the idea was 'fraught with danger said Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associa-tions chief executive Tony Payne. 'There are only two sets of people who are trained to tell if people are drunk licensees and the police. We are inviting people to get involved in things they do not understand. Do the police want to hand their badges over to the public?

Payne said his main concern would be that people with a grudge could complain multiple times about a venue. 'You only have to look at the new licensing application process to realise there are some spiteful people who will complain because they hold a grudge, he said.