Sponsor a copper
The trade has reacted angrily to a new paid-for-policing scheme being mooted in official guidance from the Home Office to forces across the country.
Police forces are being advised to seek funding from local
businesses, including pubs and clubs, to pay for extra police community support officers (PCSOs).
The advice, featured in official Home Office guidance on good practice in obtaining funding, represents another form of paid-for policing.
The Government has made a commitment to increase the number of PCSOs from 6,300 to 24,000 by 2008 in a bid to combat anti-social behaviour.
The Home Office will pay the full cost of each new officer in the first year, dropping to 75% thereafter.
Sponsor a copperIf companies or authorities agree to sponsor the officers, they could also attach their logo on the shoulder tags of officers' uniforms.
The PCSOs would patrol the area designated by the sponsor but could also be used in other areas at the discretion of the commanding officer.
Bar Entertainment and Dance Association (BEDA) chairman and Nexum Leisure boss Paul Kinsey slammed plans. At some stage we have to say not everything should land at our doorPaul Kinsey BEDA/Nexum Leisure.
"The time has come to strike a balance," Kinsey said. "Someone needs to make it clear what we pay business rates for.
"As late-night operators we may trade only 24 hours a week yet we pay significant local and national taxes.
"The industry is being clobbered left, right and centre by red tape.
There have been 140 different pieces of legislation in recent times that have increased the cost of running a late-night business. At some stage we have to say not everything should land at our door."
Kinsey added while BEDA members such as Ultimate and Yates's had previously been happy to trial paid-for policing schemes as a "goodwill gesture" it was in favour of a more integrated plan for the late-night economy.
"What we want is more pro-active policing as part of an integrated solution," he said.
"It is about late-night transport, the right number of taxi licences being issued and public toilets in conjunction with pro-active policing."To comment on this or any other story email us by clicking this link
