This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7718950.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
MPs call for pub happy hours ban MPs call for pub happy hours ban
(about 3 hours later)
Pub happy hours should be banned and supermarkets stopped from selling alcohol at a loss, in order to combat drink-fuelled disorder, MPs have said.Pub happy hours should be banned and supermarkets stopped from selling alcohol at a loss, in order to combat drink-fuelled disorder, MPs have said.
The Home Affairs select committee said reckless drinking was placing a heavy burden on police resources.The Home Affairs select committee said reckless drinking was placing a heavy burden on police resources.
One possible solution in England and Wales, MPs said, would be legislation setting a minimum price on alcohol - already being considered in Scotland.One possible solution in England and Wales, MPs said, would be legislation setting a minimum price on alcohol - already being considered in Scotland.
Ministers said they would "look carefully" at the recommendations.Ministers said they would "look carefully" at the recommendations.
The committee's wide-ranging report said police were "hitting their targets but missing the point".The committee's wide-ranging report said police were "hitting their targets but missing the point".
Police challengesPolice challenges
It said police faced a host of challenges in the 21st Century, including reviewing their core purpose amid competing demands for officers' time.It said police faced a host of challenges in the 21st Century, including reviewing their core purpose amid competing demands for officers' time.
But it added that evidence showed the biggest problem faced by police forces was violence and disorder caused by excessive drinking of cheap alcohol.But it added that evidence showed the biggest problem faced by police forces was violence and disorder caused by excessive drinking of cheap alcohol.
The committee said that one force had reported that its shift patterns were dictated by the need to have enough officers available to deal with the fall-out of weekend bouts of drunken disorder.The committee said that one force had reported that its shift patterns were dictated by the need to have enough officers available to deal with the fall-out of weekend bouts of drunken disorder.
Drink-fuelled crime meant that many forces could not meet the public's expectations of high-profile visible policing at other times, despite currently having record numbers in uniform, the report said.Violence: 45% of victims say their attacker had been drinkingDrink-fuelled crime meant that many forces could not meet the public's expectations of high-profile visible policing at other times, despite currently having record numbers in uniform, the report said.Violence: 45% of victims say their attacker had been drinking
Increased police powers to tackle drunkenness were not working and powers to review or revoke premises' alcohol licences were not being fully used, it said.Increased police powers to tackle drunkenness were not working and powers to review or revoke premises' alcohol licences were not being fully used, it said.
Almost half of all violent crime victims report that their attacker was under the influence of alcohol, according to official figures.Almost half of all violent crime victims report that their attacker was under the influence of alcohol, according to official figures.
Other official figures on the cost of goods over time show alcohol has become much more affordable in the last three decades.Other official figures on the cost of goods over time show alcohol has become much more affordable in the last three decades.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the committee, said retailers must end a "pile it high, sell it cheap" culture around drink.Keith Vaz, chairman of the committee, said retailers must end a "pile it high, sell it cheap" culture around drink.
He accused supermarkets of flouting the spirit of a voluntary code on alcohol sales.He accused supermarkets of flouting the spirit of a voluntary code on alcohol sales.
"We cannot have, on one hand, a world of alcohol promotions for profit that fuels surges of crime and disorder and, on the other, the police diverting all their resources to cope with it," said Mr Vaz."We cannot have, on one hand, a world of alcohol promotions for profit that fuels surges of crime and disorder and, on the other, the police diverting all their resources to cope with it," said Mr Vaz.
Scotland's new licensing laws include powers to fix alcohol prices to stop cut-price promotions and happy hours and ministers in Edinburgh say they might seek to set minimum prices for drink.. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYDo not penalise everyone who enjoys a sensible drink just because the sentencing for drunken louts is pathetic and there is no deterrentPhil, North WalesSend us your comments Scotland's new licensing laws include powers to fix alcohol prices to stop cut-price promotions and happy hours and ministers in Edinburgh say they might seek to set minimum prices for drink. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYDo not penalise everyone who enjoys a sensible drink just because the sentencing for drunken louts is pathetic and there is no deterrentPhil, North WalesSend us your comments
The report said MPs remained sceptical about whether recently introduced Alcohol Disorder Zones could work.The report said MPs remained sceptical about whether recently introduced Alcohol Disorder Zones could work.
These force pubs and clubs to contribute towards the costs of policing drink-related crime.These force pubs and clubs to contribute towards the costs of policing drink-related crime.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We know the police and the public remain concerned about alcohol-related disorder.A Home Office spokesman said: "We know the police and the public remain concerned about alcohol-related disorder.
"We have given the police, licensing authorities and trading standards officers a range of tough powers to tackle alcohol-related disorder, including on-the-spot fines, confiscating alcohol in public places and closing down premises that flout the law."We have given the police, licensing authorities and trading standards officers a range of tough powers to tackle alcohol-related disorder, including on-the-spot fines, confiscating alcohol in public places and closing down premises that flout the law.
"Alongside this, the Department of Health has commissioned an independent review on the effects of alcohol price, promotion, consumption and harm which will be published shortly.""Alongside this, the Department of Health has commissioned an independent review on the effects of alcohol price, promotion, consumption and harm which will be published shortly."
'Expensive disaster''Expensive disaster'
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said: "[The report] is a shocking indictment of Labour's reckless approach to extended licensing and the top-down target-driven approach, which has resulted in perverse outcomes."Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said: "[The report] is a shocking indictment of Labour's reckless approach to extended licensing and the top-down target-driven approach, which has resulted in perverse outcomes."
He said the Conservatives would reverse Labour's approach to 24-hour drinking, replacing it with "appropriate application at local discretion".He said the Conservatives would reverse Labour's approach to 24-hour drinking, replacing it with "appropriate application at local discretion".
"We would ensure that laws passed to deal with alcohol-fuelled disorder are actually enforced - and take robust action to prevent loss-leader sales targeted at the young.""We would ensure that laws passed to deal with alcohol-fuelled disorder are actually enforced - and take robust action to prevent loss-leader sales targeted at the young."
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "This report is right to highlight how mistaken the government has been to try to run policing through Whitehall targets, which have proved an expensive disaster."Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "This report is right to highlight how mistaken the government has been to try to run policing through Whitehall targets, which have proved an expensive disaster."