Licensing Act is failing, police warn MPs

Published: 14 October, 2008

The Police Federation will today tell the government that its Licensing Act is failing to encourage more responsible attitudes to alcohol or reduce drink-related crime.

The Police Federation will today tell the government that its Licensing Act is failing to encourage more responsible attitudes to alcohol or reduce drink-related crime.

The licensing reforms introduced three years ago, allowing pubs to serve alcohol around the clock, have not brought with it the more relaxed drinking culture that Labour claimed they would, according to the federation.

A select committee from the Department for Culture Media and Sport will be told today by the federation that the new licensing reforms have instead led to a rise in the number of "super pubs", which are causing an increase in drink related crime and putting increased pressure on police resources.

The federation will also call for an end to cheap alcohol on sale in pubs, clubs and supermarkets, which they say encourages underage and binge drinking, at the Westminster hearing.

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