Heavy-handed cops arrest Punch BRM
Punch Taverns seeks an apology from the police for their aggressive enforcement approach to a minor licence breach
Punch is demanding an apology from police after one of its business retail managers (BRM) was arrested for a minor breach of conditions on a pub licence.
The pubco has accused the police of being heavy-handed in their approach, which saw the BRM hauled to the cells and later released on bail.
It is understood the incident boiled over after the Punch executive refused to be interviewed under caution without a company solicitor being present.
Punch says the issue related to a minor irregularity on the premises licence for the pub - all the licences are held in the name of the company throughout the estate.
Police have now said they no longer intend to proceed with any charges against the Punch employee.
A Punch spokesman said: "The BRM and Punch are currently seeking an apology from the police for their
handling of the case.
"Punch has been fully supportive of the BRM throughout this difficult time and understandably wants to protect his identity, especially as he is an exemplary individual who takes his responsibilities very seriously."
The company says it has encountered a number of isolated incidents where local licensing officials have chosen to take a particularly aggressive approach to the enforcement of minor licensing irregularities.
Punch stresses its relations with the police and licensing authorities are generally good, reflecting the time and money it has invested in the new licensing regime.
The company chose to register its own name on the premises licences for all its pubs, rather than the individual licensees, when the new Licensing Act came into effect two and a half years ago.
MA legal editor Peter Coulson said: "There has been concern voiced recently about heavy-handed policing and especially the threat of instant closure for minor breaches of conditions. This is not a power that the police have, and an arrest of a company representative for such a breach is inexcusable.
"The Home Office must clarify the role of police in licensing matters."
