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Tackling Scotland's 'bevvy' culture
29/08/2007
Effective enforcement will be a key factor in ensuring the forthcoming Licensing Act helps tackle Scotland's alcohol problems, according to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.
Speaking at an ACPOS seminar on licensing Mr MacAskill said that a well-enforced Act would help turn off the tap of cheap booze, put the brakes on alcohol fuelled violence, remind licensees of their responsibilities and help change our alcohol culture.
Mr MacAskill asked officers for their views on the proposal, contained in the government's current consultation on fee levels, that a 'polluter pays' approach could be introduced. This would see late opening premises charged an additional fee - to ensure licensees meet their responsibility to help pay for the social and economic cost of the sale of alcohol - which could be sued to help with policing costs in antisocial behaviour hotspots.
He also stressed the important role the police will play, working with licensing officers and boards, to make the Act work with effective enforcement, helping to clamp down on underage sales, irresponsible promotions and third party purchasing of alcohol for young people.
Mr MacAskill said:
"Alcohol misuse is causing too much harm to Scottish people and communities. It's destroying health, fuelling antisocial behaviour and causing crime - that's why we need to take action to make our communities safer today and make our nation healthier in the future.
"The Licensing Act is a big step in the right direction and by ensuring they are properly prepared for effective enforcement police officers and others can play a big part in helping to make it a success. I want to look at ways that we can go further and make this most of the opportunity to get the right system for Scots and the communities they live in.
"Those who are given the right to sell alcohol must bear the responsibility for the social and economic costs. The effects of alcohol on our city and town centres is not cost free and those who profit from it must contribute to addressing it. It's not right that taxpayers pick up the whole of the bill, licensees should pay their way too.
"It's important to listen to the views of professionals who deal with this on a daily basis, that's why I'm discussing this with senior police officers today. I want to seek views on whether new options such as "polluter pays" additional fees for late opening premises, particularly in so called drinking and antisocial behaviour hotspots, would be a useful addition.
"These fees could be used to create a fund to help off-set the costs of additional policing in areas with a large number of late opening premises, areas that are considered antisocial behaviour hotspots - like Lothian Road and Sauchiehall Street on a Friday or Saturday night.
"There are questions we need to look. How would you determine which premises pay? How would you decide how much they should pay? I want to hear views on this and that's why I've included it in the consultation on fee levels. I will be discussing the proposal further with senior police officers and carefully considering responses to the consultation before announcing our plan on fees later in the autumn."
The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 received Royal Assent on December 21, 2005, and reforms the current legislation which dates back to the 1970s. The aim of the new legislation is to Simplify and modernise the existing legislation (the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976, and the relevant parts of the Law Reform (Misc. Provisions) (Scot.) Act 1990; Balance the rights of the majority of people who drink responsibly against the need to protect local communities from nuisance and crime associated with misuse of alcohol; Provide strong monitoring and enforcement powers; Establish a more inclusive system for all those with an interest; Support responsible members of the licensed trade; and Allow local flexibility balanced with consistency of decision making.
The Scottish government is in the process of implementing the Act through various regulations. The consultation on fees end date is September 17, 2007.
Mr MacAskill is speaking at a one day seminar for senior police managers organised by ACPOS to increase awareness and understanding of the legislative requirements under the new Act. The seminar will provide an informed overview of the new Act, the implications for the police service and work undertaken by the sub-group to date.
In preparation for the introduction of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, The Association of Senior Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) established an Operational Policing Business Areas Licensing Sub-group, which was established during 2006, to prepare the Scottish Police Service for the introduction of the new legislation.