Licensing Act review followed by further measures to address alcohol related disorder

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recently released the Evaluation of the Impact of the Licensing Act 2003 after committing to monitoring the impact of the new framework for licensing across the country.

The report's key findings suggest that there have been no significant changes in alcohol-related disorder.  Whilst DCMS admit it may be too early to make real conclusions on the impact, it appears there has been no overall increase in alcohol related-crime and disorder and no significant rise in the number of 24 hour licenses being used.  However, the findings show that previous peak times for incidents have been displaced in favour of more incidents later into the night.

The report does claim that a number of positive issues have emerged and that the change in structures transferring licensing responsibilities from magistrates to licensing authorities has improved democratic accountability and the involvement of residents and stakeholders. Reports of significant cost savings (around £99m a year) to license holders and businesses are highlighted, and no negative impacts are registered in relation to the regulation of live music performances.

Nonetheless the report acknowledges that there may be varying degrees to which licensing authorities are using the new powers, with many still failing to address serious issues relating to problematic premises. Additionally it is reported there is no indication of diversification in the night time economy, away from a concentration of drinking venues, which is sought to achieve a change in the current drinking culture, see earlier research by the Institute of Alcohol Studies.

The review also highlights that improvements need to be made where authorities are not taking sufficent action aginst premises and further consideraton needs to be given to further simplifying certain processes for licensing authorities.

However the report emphasises the root and branch approach that the government is taking towards alcohol harm across all sections of society. The Licensing act 2003 was implemented to support the cross-cutting national alcohol strategy updated in 2007 in Safe, Sensible, Social: Next steps for the government's national alcohol strategy and highlights a number of new inititives being taken to reduce the impact of alcohol in the night time economy. These include the new Beacon Council scheme ‘After Dark’ which will support and reward innovative approaches to managing town centres being delivered by local authorities.

 

In taking forward the priorities outlined in the review, the Home Office will bring forward new legislation to further address alcohol related disorder. The new measures include a sharper ‘yellow card and red card’ system for problem premises and an increase in the fine for breaching drinking control areas (DPPOs) from £500 to £2,500. These come alongside new Alcohol Disorder Zones which under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 give councils increased powers to restrict the number of licenses in alcohol disorder ‘hotspots’ and force premises responsible for disorder to contribute to costs incurred to the police or council.