'3am curfew could increase street violence'

A blanket ban on 24-hour opening could cause a return to pre-Licensing Act street violence.

That's the warning from Noctis executive director Paul Smith after licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced yesterday that local authorities will have new powers to impose a 3 to 6am blanket ban on licensed premises in problem areas.

"Any kind of blanket ban in terms of licensing goes against the Licensing Act," said Smith. "This is not a proportionate response. It is over the top and a disincentive."

The Licensing Act introduced 24-hour opening as a measure against late night violence by staggering the times drinkers would be thrown out of venues.

"The ban will not have any positive effects on bringing down alcohol-related violence, only negative effects," Smith added.

Morning Advertiser​'s legal editor Peter Coulson said pubs would be largely unaffected by the ban, but that late night clubs and a minority of supermarkets may be hit harder.

"I do not think many pubs will be affected by this. It seems like another bit of window dressing to me, based on the failure of Alcohol Disorder Zones," he said.

The British Beer and Pub Association agreed. "It is highly improbable that this will affect any pubs whatsoever due to the hour they have set," said director of communications Mark Hastings. "We don't see it as a particular problem."