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Late-night bars face police costs Late-night bars face police costs
(about 4 hours later)
Additional charges on late-opening bars and clubs are being considered by the Scottish Executive.Additional charges on late-opening bars and clubs are being considered by the Scottish Executive.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the charges would help pay for additional policing in areas where late drinking causes anti-social behaviour.Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the charges would help pay for additional policing in areas where late drinking causes anti-social behaviour.
The proposals have been criticised by licensed trade industry leaders.The proposals have been criticised by licensed trade industry leaders.
The forthcoming Licensing Bill aims to tackle Scotland's alcohol problems and Mr MacAskill has said effective enforcement is key to its success.The forthcoming Licensing Bill aims to tackle Scotland's alcohol problems and Mr MacAskill has said effective enforcement is key to its success.
Speaking at an Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) seminar on licensing, Mr MacAskill said he would outline the ways the government plans to achieve effective enforcement.Speaking at an Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) seminar on licensing, Mr MacAskill said he would outline the ways the government plans to achieve effective enforcement.
It's not right that taxpayers pick up the whole of the bill, licensees should pay their way too Kenny MacAskillJustice SecretaryIt's not right that taxpayers pick up the whole of the bill, licensees should pay their way too Kenny MacAskillJustice Secretary
He stressed the important role the police will play, saying they would be working with licensing officers and boards to make the act work, help to clamp down on underage sales, irresponsible promotions and third-party purchasing of alcohol for young people.He stressed the important role the police will play, saying they would be working with licensing officers and boards to make the act work, help to clamp down on underage sales, irresponsible promotions and third-party purchasing of alcohol for young people.
Mr MacAskill said: "Alcohol misuse is causing too much harm to Scottish people and communities.Mr MacAskill said: "Alcohol misuse is causing too much harm to Scottish people and communities.
"It's destroying health, fuelling anti-social behaviour and causing crime - that's why we need to take action to make our communities safer today and make our nation healthier in the future. The Licensing Act is a big step in the right direction.""It's destroying health, fuelling anti-social behaviour and causing crime - that's why we need to take action to make our communities safer today and make our nation healthier in the future. The Licensing Act is a big step in the right direction."
The justice secretary suggested to senior police officers the idea of charging an additional fee to late-licensed premises to help pay for additional policing, and asked for their views.The justice secretary suggested to senior police officers the idea of charging an additional fee to late-licensed premises to help pay for additional policing, and asked for their views.
'Polluter pays''Polluter pays'
This would be applied in areas where alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour is a problem, such as city centres.This would be applied in areas where alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour is a problem, such as city centres.
Mr MacAskill said the charge would operate on the principle that the "polluter pays".Mr MacAskill said the charge would operate on the principle that the "polluter pays".
He said: "The effects of alcohol on our city and town centres is not cost free and those who profit from it must contribute to addressing it.He said: "The effects of alcohol on our city and town centres is not cost free and those who profit from it must contribute to addressing it.
"It's not right that taxpayers pick up the whole of the bill, licensees should pay their way too.""It's not right that taxpayers pick up the whole of the bill, licensees should pay their way too."
CONSULTATION ON FEES Consultation on fees and vessels [205KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereCONSULTATION ON FEES Consultation on fees and vessels [205KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Mr MacAskill added that the proposal raised several practical questions, such as the level of charges.Mr MacAskill added that the proposal raised several practical questions, such as the level of charges.
He said: "I want to hear views on this and that's why I've included it in the consultation on fee levels. I will be discussing the proposal further with senior police officers and carefully considering responses to the consultation before announcing our plan on fees later in the autumn."He said: "I want to hear views on this and that's why I've included it in the consultation on fee levels. I will be discussing the proposal further with senior police officers and carefully considering responses to the consultation before announcing our plan on fees later in the autumn."
The former president of the licensed trade association, Donald Clark, criticised the plans, and said it would be wrong of the government to blame licensees for what are the ills of society. Colin Wilkinson, secretary of the Scottish Licensed Traders Association, said pub and club owners were already paying for policing through alcohol duty and commercial rates.
He added: "Again it seems to be the pubs and clubs that are being targeted. It would appear that we are to be responsible for what happens on the streets.
"In our view we are already paying for this service."
A spokesman for Scottish Labour said they welcomed Mr MacAskill's announcement, which they said had been their idea in the first place.
The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 received royal assent in December 2005 and is aimed at simplifying and reforming current legislation which dates back to the 1970s.The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 received royal assent in December 2005 and is aimed at simplifying and reforming current legislation which dates back to the 1970s.
The Scottish government is in the process of implementing the act through various regulations and its current consultation on fees ends on 17 September.The Scottish government is in the process of implementing the act through various regulations and its current consultation on fees ends on 17 September.
Further measures to deal with the problem of underage drinking are likely to be announced next week.Further measures to deal with the problem of underage drinking are likely to be announced next week.