New drinking laws cut alcohol fuelled violence

New drinking laws in England and Wales have led to “significant” falls in late night alcohol related violence in central London.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive, Rob Hayward, has written to all London MPs detailing figures showing a double-digit reduction in alcohol related crime in the boroughs of Westminster and Camden since the start of the new Licensing Act in November 2005.

In Camden alcohol-related crime was found to have decreased by 15% between the start of the new regime and November 2006, which was the first fall in three years.

Westminster saw an 11% fall in violent crime between midnight and 4am during the same period.

Hayward said the figures collated by the BBPA showed a “significant fall in the incidence of late night alcohol related violence” since the introduction of the act.

He said: “The success of implementing what was the biggest overhaul of the licensing laws in over 100 years, has been achieved by co-operation between responsible licensees, the police and local councils and communities, all of whom have played their part.”

Scotland’s own ongoing reform of licensing laws is proving controversial with trade bodies in the country angry at plans to hike licensing fees.

Independent report recommends 7% rise in licensing fees >>

New Licensing Act is bringing benefits, say councils >>

Government 'clarification' fails to make personal licence holder rules clear >>

Licensing-change round up >>

Scottish publicans slam licence price rise plans >>

By Christopher Walton

E-mail your comments to Christopher Walton here.