UK Christian group supports 24 hour drinking overhaul

Thursday, 29 July 2010

The Licensing Act is going to be overhauled in an effort to tackle booze-related bad behaviour.

The Home Secretary, Teresa May, unveiled plans for pubs and clubs to pay more for late licenses, and the fine for selling alcohol to children will be doubled.

The measures are expected to signal an end to the 24-hour licensing law brought in by Labour five years ago in what has been widely seen as a failed bid to reduce the binge-drinking culture by adopting more relaxed Continental-style opening hours.

John Beasley is from the United Kingdom Alliance - a Christian organisation campaigning against the dangers of alcohol.

He tells Premier he's not shocked that anti-social behaviour hasn't been tackled by relaxing the drinking laws:

“Though the last Government did many good things, that was not a good thing. I think we should get rid of so called 24-hour drinking.

"But if this Government is seriously concerned about the alcohol problem then it needs to launch a major campaign making the whole population aware of the options and benefits of healthy and safe alcohol free lifestyles. Because unless this Government does that it is not taking Britain’s biggest drug problem seriously.”

According to the Home Office, one million alcohol-related violent crimes were committed last year.

In the same period, a fifth of all violent incidents took place in or around a pub or club.

Ms May said: "The benefits promised by the 24-hour drinking 'cafe 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."

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