§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has on(a) licensing and (b) policing for night clubs and other licensed premises which are identified as generating problems of crime and disorder.[41410]
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§ Mr. Bob AinsworthWe have provided the police with strong new powers to deal with disorderly or excessively noisy licensed premises. Section 17 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which came into force on 1 December 2001, allows the police to close premises, instantly, for up to 24 hours where such problems are occurring. We expect the powers to have a deterrent effect and lead to a reduction in the incidence of violence and disorder on licensed premises, as well as providing the police with effective powers to deal with problems when they arise.
The White Paper "Time for Reform" (Cm 4696), published in April 2000, set out the Government's wider proposals for reforming and modernising licensing law. The proposals included a new graduated system of sanctions penalising licensees who failed to comply with licence conditions relating to crime and disorder and other matters. The Government intend to bring forward legislation to implement the White Paper proposals as soon as parliamentary time permits.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards enabling police services to charge night clubs and bar proprietors for additional policing costs associated with their premises. [41401]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthWe made it clear in the White Paper 'Policing A new Century: A Blueprint for Reform' that we are concerned about the costs incurred in policing entertainment venues, pubs and clubs, and sporting venues where policing demands impact on policing in the area. We are keen to explore how we might encourage and develop arrangements under which entertainment venues make a contribution to the policing and public order costs generated by their activities.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the need for new police powers to deal with the problems of crime and disorder associated with night clubs and other licensed premises. [41409]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthA package of measures to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder were included in the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. This includes new police powers to close disorderly or excessively noisy licensed premises, instantly, for up to 24 hours, and a toughening up of the law relating to drunkenness and disorder on licensed premises, and to under-age drinking. Working with the police and others, we shall keep the impact of these new measures, which came into force on 1 December 2001, under review as the basis for determining whether new or additional powers are required to assist the police and others in tackling crime and disorder on licensed premises.