Alcohol consultation launched

Have your say on how you think the Licensing Act should be overhauled to give local communities more power to tackle crime.

Proposals have now been unveiled for new measures that would crack down on 'problem premises' and give more powers to local communities to influence licensing decisions.

Read the full press notice here.

We want to hear from you

In a consultation launched today, we ask for your views on a range of options, including:

• allowing local authorities to consider the opinions of the wider community, not just those living close to premises

• doubling the fine (to £20,000) for those found persistently selling alcohol to children

• charging a fee for late-night licences to pay for the cost of extra policing

• fully considering police and health concerns in assessing licence applications

• increasing licence fees so that local councils can cover costs linked to enforcement

• introducing a ban the sale of below cost alcohol and consulting on how this can be achieved

No benefits from 24-hour drinking

Theresa May said, 'The benefits promised by the 24 hour drinking "café culture" have failed to materialise, and in its place we have seen an increase in the number of alcohol-related incidents and drink-fuelled crime and disorder.

'We know that the majority of pubs and bars are well run businesses, but the government believes that the system needs to be rebalanced in favour of the local communities they serve, with tougher action taken to crack down on the small number of premises that cause problems.

'Last year there were almost one million violent crimes that were alcohol related, with a fifth of all violent incidents taking place in or around a pub or club, and almost two-thirds of these happening at night. As well as this, the total cost of alcohol-related crime and disorder to the taxpayer is estimated to be between £8bn and £13bn.'

Get involved by telling us what you think

You can contribute online to the alcohol licensing consultation.