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£2.5m campaign to crack down on drunken disorder
Home Secretary Charles Clarke yesterday (15 November) launched a £2.5m campaign to curb binge drinking.
The nationwide campaign – which coincides with the implementation of the new licensing laws next Thursday and a new advertising campaign launched on Monday – aims to boost police powers in dealing with alcohol-related disorder.
Police and trading standards officers have been instructed to target those who sell alcohol to under 18s; bars and clubs which promote irresponsible and rowdy behaviour and drunken individuals who cause violent disorder.
Clarke said: "There already exist a wide range of powers from fixed penalty notices to orders to close pubs and nightclubs instantly for up to 24 hours.
“The Licensing Act will give the police even more power to close down problem bars and increase penalties for premises that sell to underage drinkers.”
Tougher powers will include increased fines, such as a maximum penalty of £20,000 or a six-month prison sentence for breach of licence conditions and up to a £5,000 fine for selling alcohol to children.
The new alcohol laws – which allow round-the-clock drinking – are set to come into effect on 24 November following a failed Conservative-led attempt to delay the implementation of the Licensing Act.
Conservative proposals to delay the act for six months were defeated at Westminster last night by 302 votes to 228.
Recent reports indicate that more than 500 applications have been made for 24-hour licences.
However, only around 150 of these are pubs, with the rest comprising hotels, clubs, supermarkets, off-licences and other shops. Details: www.homeoffice.gov.uk