CHEAP BOOZE TURNS UGLY ON STREETS
November 10, 2008 10:10 AM
A new report looking into policing shows that cheap alcohol is contributing to a shocking level of violence on our streets. Local MP NICK HARVEY says: "According to police figures nearly fifty per cent of violent attacks are alcohol fuelled, and this situation is greatly aggravated by many people going out for the evening AFTER having already consumed considerable quantities of cheap alcohol.
'The Home Affairs Select Committee which has produced this report is calling for a ban on supermarkets selling alcohol below cost and for an end to happy hour.
'Local publicans have been pointing out to me that they are fed up being held responsible for causing anti-social behaviour when many customers are in fact already drunk by the time they arrive.'
A spokesperson for Barnstaple & North Devon Licensed Victuallers Association says:
'At this stage we are being blamed for drinking in the streets, binge drinking, under age drinking, cigarette ends and packets on the pavement, even yob culture with fights in the streets.
'There are always two sides to a coin. We are victims of a blame culture which has to be addressed.
'We have even had members blamed for idiots drinking from cans or bottles in the street though the landlord does not sell the brand the culprit had in his hand.'
Nick Harvey concludes:
'The Select Committee's recommendations are clearly a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen how the Government will act upon them. In the meantime I and the B&NDLVA are getting together in the next couple of weeks to trying and tackle this situation locally in an effort to restore the pub trade's tarnished good name.'
Notes for Editors
The Home Affairs Select Committee report Policing in the 21st century:
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/home_affairs_committee/hacpn081103no65.cfm
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