More bobbies on the beat?

NEW licensed premises policies could mean more bobbies on the beat in Stockton Heath and neighbouring villages.
Warrington Borough Council’s team leader for licensing Val Atherton told Stockton Heath Parish Council that a review of policy would mean more control over troublesome premises.
She said new procedures would be in place to tackle licensed premises issues such as anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking, and that it would be more difficult to get a licence in future.
The council was told the changes would also have impact on the work of Police and Community Support Officers.
In some cases police were having to react to issues rather than be pro-active, dealing with incidents affecting licensed premises. This mean the village was not always getting the policing it needed.
Residents complained of delivery lorries serving an off-licence which damaged pavements, of drivers leaving radios on and youths hanging around at night. But the police were always too busy in Bridge Street, Warrington.
Children as young as 15 were seen leaving the off-licence with bags of booze on Walking Day and under-age drinkers were often seen along the Bridgewater Canal.
Council officers said they would investigate the complaints.
But it was not possible to limit the number of licensed premises in the village, the meeting was told.
Mrs Atherton said where premises were below standard, the licensed could be reviewed. They could be given 28 days to “clean up their act” and usually took steps to solve the problems before the hearing.