BBPA backs calls for action on thugs

BBPA writes to the Home Office in support of calls for tougher action against thugs who attack pub staff

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has written to the Home Office in support of calls for tougher action against thugs who attack licensees and pub staff.

BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward sent Home Office minister Vernon Coaker the story from last week's MA in which a 17 year-old, who attacked Lancashire host Ray Sutton after having his drink confiscated, was let off with a caution.

Hayward wrote: "There is considerable concern in the trade that a licensee who is clearly taking seriously the responsible alcohol retailing message should be attacked in such a brutal way without apparently receiving adequate support from the law.

"Every day, licensees face an extremely difficult task in preventing the sale of alcohol to under-18s. In this task, they are successful the vast majority of the time.

"Given the enormous challenge this task presents, we would hope that the law would be fully deployed on behalf of licensees.

"Licensees and all pub staff need effective protection from violence when they are upholding the law, seeking to sell alcohol in a responsible manner in the safe and controlled environment that our customers demand, and our pubs provide.

"I would therefore urge you to consider [whether]

apparent Home Office guidance to caution [offenders] in these sorts of cases is acceptable, or is properly assisting the police in their task."

The attack on Sutton, of the Last Orders pub, in Bolton, came just weeks after a similar attack on Michelle Parkinson of the town's Blue Boar pub.

She was punched unconscious and her assailant received a caution.

FURIOUS HOST SLAMS CAUTIONS

Licensee Stephen Edwards is furious that two 20 year-olds were let off with a caution after attacking him and causing serious damage to his car.

The case mirrors the recent sickening attacks in Bolton. Edwards, of the Quarry Club in Lampeter, Dyfed, said it was the tenth time he has been attacked at the pub, but "the most the police have ever done is to fine someone £20".

Edwards had refused to serve two troublemakers.

The pair, who were banned from the pub, head-butted and punched the licensee in the face.

They kicked and scratched his car so badly that it had to be written off.

Edwards said: "It was dealt with in 12 hours. The police said they had a 'result' and had given both [offenders] cautions. It's ridiculous. My car has been written off and I've lost my no-claims bonus. It just sickens me that they get away with this.

"I've been attacked ten times since I've been here and the most the police have ever done is given someone a £20 fine."

Edwards is taking the pair to court in an attempt to reclaim his no-claims bonus.