Authorities urged to tackle problem pubs

Police and councils in 26 areas are to receive "intensive" support visits to get them up to speed on their powers to tackle 'problem pubs'.

Sixteen three-day events will take place in areas that requested help from the Home Office, while 10 day-long sessions will be held on subjects including closure powers.

The Home Ofice, which is organising the "Alcohol Intensive Support" visits, said previous visits found a "general lack of confidence" among enforcement authorities, with many not using the powers available to them.

"During these events we found that knowledge and skills are only one half of the equation," said a Home Office spokeswoman.

"We found that this lack of confidence extends even to using the most basic power of entry to licensed premises."

The three-day sessions will involve class-room training, "mentoring" of police during "live night-time licensing inspections of their highest risk licensed premises", plus mentoring between forces.

There will also be discussions from schemes such as pubwatch, Best Bar None, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and Business Improvement Districts.

Areas confirmed so far include: North Tyneside (16-19 December); Manchester (10-12 January); Bournemouth (19-21 January); Leamington Spa (24-26 January); South Nottinghamshire (1-3 March).

The Home Office said the visits are not aimed at licensees but they can attend, at the discretion of local police.

The Home Office said last year's visit to Portsmouth saw a 400% fall in "drunk and inconsiderate behaviour" in the Palmerston Road area.

Enforcement​

However, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish said: "We have always said that the police and local authorities have sufficient powers for the job so we certainly agree that they should use them properly and constructively before introducing yet more new rules which in their turn won't be used effectively; that's why we are so opposed to the new Police Bill.

"It is illuminating to see that some officers 'lack the confidence' to do their job properly. Conversely some pub and bar operators think they themselves are being put upon!

"This surely points to the need for more and better communication between everyone whose objective is profitable businesses in safe environments."

Partnership​

Morning Advertiser legal editor Peter Coulson said: "It is clear that in spite of the mention of those who engage in crime and disorder, the scheme is targeted at the licensed trade almost exclusively.

"Effectively, the Home Office is training a whole range of people to take more enforcement action under existing legislation, including 'instant' closure of premises, which is only provided for in extreme cases and certainly not as a result of a routine inspection."

Meanwhile, National Pubwatch chairman Steve Baker welcomed the fact that guidance on pubwatches is included in the support visits.

"The Home Office is aware that there are many pubwatch schemes operating in the towns where they are carrying out their intensive visits.

"As such the Home Office and police have a good base on which to promote effective partnership working. National Pubwatch will do all it can to help in this process.

"Pubwatch provides a proven low cost means of reducing alcohol related crime and disorder."