London pub rape clampdown provokes industry outrage

15-Oct-2012 - Last updated on 21-Aug-2017 at 10:53 GMT

Police in London have been slammed for targeting pubs in a bid to cut the number of sex crimes in the capital.

The industry is up in arms over proposals unveiled last week, which revealed that police in the capital are planning a clampdown on pubs associated with high levels of rape and sexual assaults.

The Metropolitan Police would use existing licensing laws to shut down venues as part of a rape prevention strategy.

A Met spokesperson told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser that the police would work “in partnership with the pub and club industry to ensure licensing laws are upheld”, but added the work was in its “infancy” and it was too early to provide specific details.

But the proposal has sparked fury among high-profile industry figures.

Kate Nicholls, strategic affairs director of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said: “It is a counter-productive approach — we need to be trying to eradicate sexual offences and tackling the perpetrators, not identifying the pubs and nightclubs where this might be happening.

“Trying to talk and deal with pubs as venues minimises the seriousness of the crime and takes action against somebody who is not the perpetrator.”

The plans also provoked heated debate on the PMA’s website forum.

“While I understand the concerns of the police, it is not their job to act as judge and jury and close down licensed premises,” Steve Corbett, Fair Pint founder, wrote.

Another user, known as WhiskeyGalore, described the move as “another ploy to get people drinking in their own home”, while a comment by a user named Paxalcolico said: “Pubs don’t generate high levels of rape and sexual assaults, people do by their behaviour. It’s as crazy as saying the dress code of many young ladies generates rape and sexual assaults.”

The Met stressed that the force was committed to tackling rape and serious sexual offences.

“As part of this commitment, we are running a publicity campaign later in the year to raise awareness of what support is available for victims, continuing to analyse intelligence, and increasing the number of offenders we arrest,” it said.