Vertical Markets

Alcohol call

by Mark Rowe

An urgent rethink about the way alcohol is sold in pubs and clubs in the UK has been called for by the national lead for alcohol and substance misuse for the APCC (Association of Police and Crime Commissioners).

Hardyal Dhindsa, Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, was speaking ahead of Alcohol Awareness Week, which runs from November 13 to 19. He said efforts to reduce drunken behaviour and drink-fuelled violence were being undermined by offers for cheap booze in pubs and clubs and bonus or commission schemes encouraging staff to sell more drink.

He also warned laws to prevent bar staff selling to anyone already inebriated were difficult to enforce and said greater clarity was needed to improve their effectiveness. He’s calling for a meeting with pub and club chains.

Home Office figures suggest alcohol misuse costs England and Wales around £21bn every year – £11.4bn due to alcohol-related crime. Alcohol is a factor in more than half of violent incidents between strangers and 14pc of all violent incidents occur in or around a pub or club.

Mr Dhindsa said: “The financial cost of alcohol-related crime to society is immense and estimates point to cost of £0.7bn to the police alone – every year. There needs to be greater cooperation between police and the licensed industry to support the work taking place to promote responsible drinking across our towns and cities – otherwise we’re fighting a losing battle.

“It’s illegal to serve alcohol to anyone already intoxicated and in Derbyshire we’ve introduced training programmes to make sure bar staff fully know the law. In reality, however, this law is regularly broken and licensing officers find it incredibly difficult to enforce. At what point is someone deemed highly intoxicated?

“Complicating matters further is the strong sales culture that exists across the industry in which staff are motivated by rewards and bonuses to sell more alcohol, backed by special offers and cheap promotions. While we appreciate people need to make a living I would invite pubs and clubs to support our responsible drinking schemes and take a fully inclusive approach to the issue. That includes a review of staff expectations.

“This is something that has to be looked at with the full support of the industry to truly get a grip on this problem and stop alcohol misuse from consuming vast public services and threatening the safety of responsible people.”

He is launching a countywide alcohol awareness campaign to encourage responsible drinking.

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