A new approach to policing pubs

ACPO's chief-in-waiting speaks to Nick Yates.

As the new licensing regime kicks in, questions abound as to how police will monitor pubs in this new dawn for the trade. Among irrational fears of alcohol-fuelled chaos post-November 24, there is a huge onus placed on the relationship between police and licensees.

The answer to the majority of these questions lies with senior police figures. Chief Constable Ken Jones, of Sussex police, becomes the new head of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in April. He is proud that Sussex police's month-old Enough is Enough regional alcohol campaign, which targets underage sales and yobbish behaviour in the area, has resulted in a 10 per cent drop in alcohol-related crime.

Supporting similar initiatives nationwide, he told The Publican that tackling the issues surrounding later licensing will be far broader than just providing more bobbies on the beat. "Restoring order and reducing violent crime on our streets doesn't just mean better engagement with the licensed trade," he said. "It means talking to local authorities about better regulation generally."

But he added that if pubs didn't take responsibility, police would step in. "It's about preparing members of the licensed trade to help us help the communities it operates in. But if it won't help itself, we'll have to enforce the law a bit more forcefully."

Mr Jones said that the Licensing Act's many ramifications had brought mixed blessings. He expressed concern that, contrary to staggered closing, most premises in an area are closing at the same time, just an hour or two later.

However, he believed that such areas would quickly be controlled via new powers.

He pledged that the police would readily shut persistent offenders to preserve the trade's reputation - something that has been a perennial plea from licensees. "If people won't help themselves, we will enforce the law. We're well aware that the trade by and large is made up of terrific, responsible people. We need to do things to support them, so that those bad apples will be dealt with."

Many will point out, though, that police have been quick to make such promises in the past, often with little effect.

Mr Jones explained that the bureaucracy that made police hesitate to close trouble pubs had now been removed. "We could close down pubs under public order or breach of the peace laws, but that's rarely used," he said. "In the past we had to gather information and get the licensee before a magistrates' court. Ordinarily, the only time to do that is at the annual review. It's not responsive. If there is a problem with bad behaviour and it's not seen to be dealt with at the time, it loses its effect. The new powers are much more in real time."

Mr Jones, a man who will be heavily involved in shaping how the police relate to pubs in the coming months, viewed the new licensing regime as a much-needed step away from antiquated laws.

"The laws spoke about an age that disappeared 100 years ago. We need to update our approach so we're dealing with a national, and sometimes international, business," he said.

"Most publicans are good people. Long may that remain the case. We won't make their lives anything but easier."

Ken Jones on ADZs​

Ken Jones admitted there were potential problems with the alcohol disorder zone (ADZ) concept, which will designate trouble areas. "It's difficult, as they're currently described, to see how people won't think it's unfair," he said.

"We're going to have to be very careful about how we describe these and where they are because there is a real issue about people getting tanked up outside a zone then creating problems within them. The knack will be getting the boundary drawn properly.

"I need to see much more of the guidance on that before I can see how useful they are going to be to us."