Getting tough with town centre crime

TOWN Hall licensing chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to approve a three-month consultation on tough new measures designed to reduce crime, disorder and public nuisance in the troubled town centre.
The proposed “cumulative impact policy” would cover parts of the town centre and also Stockton Heath, where the number and type of pubs, bars and clubs are causing problems of nuisance and disorder.
The effect of adopting a cumulative impact policy (CIP) would be to create a presumption that applications for new licences or variations to existing licences would normally be refused unless it can be shown that the operator of the premises involved will not add to the cumulative impact already being experienced.
Police have submitted a request to the borough council to establish a CIP to restrict the growth of licensed premises in the town centre and at Stockton Heath.
The council, as a licensing authority, has a duty to promote four licensing objectives – public safety, the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of nuisance and the protection of children from harm.
Police believe a CIP would assist in these aims.
A report to the council’s licensing committee points out that a “binge drinking” culture and its impact on policing and the night time economy has become a major concern.
Binge drinking has increased markedly over recent years with the advent of alco-pops, a marketing focus on young people, cut price alcohol promotions, large vertical drinking establishments and pubs operating into the early hours.
The proposed CIP would cover those areas of Warrington and Stockton Heath with the highest levels of drink-related violent crime and disorder where it is believed an increase in the number of licensed premises would impact on the police, ambulance service and council cleansing services.
If the policy is introduced, however, it would not be used as grounds for revoking an existing licence or certificate nor prevent all new or varied licence applications.