Mixed effect of drink law change

Drinking laws changed exactly one year ago

Police in the Midlands have said that new 24-hour drinking laws have not put them under any greater pressure.

In the West Midlands violent crime linked to alcohol has changed by just 0.02% in the past year.

The Staffordshire and Warwickshire forces said the change in the law one year ago has had a positive effect.

But alcohol-related crime has risen across the West Mercia force area. It is being attributed to people being more willing to report incidents.

Work with venues

Supt Debbie Harrod, from the central Birmingham operational command unit, said police had worked with pubs and clubs in the city's Broad Street, which is the busiest nightlife area in the Midlands.

"Our officers have a close working relationship with venues in the area and can quickly contact them to alert them if there are any likely troublemakers in the area."

In Warwickshire, a report in Leamington Spa showed an 11% drop in late-night crime since the law changed. That was attributed partly to licensing changes.

Coventry MP Bob Ainsworth told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire that the law change had helped police in his constituency.

'More crime reported'

However, in the West Mercia force area alcohol-related crime has risen in all of its sectors.

There was an 11% increase in Shropshire, a 19% rise in the north Worcestershire division, 12% in south Worcestershire, 8% in Telford and Wrekin and 6% in Herefordshire.

Overall, it's been a neutral situation Ch Insp Martin Whitelegg West Mercia Police

Tony Mantle, the Police Licensing Officer for Shropshire, said the increase was not directly because of 24-hour drinking as few venues had taken up that option.

"The figures are disappointing in many respects, although the increased publicity of the new legislation, that gives more say in licensing matters to residents, has led to people being more likely to report matters to the police."

And Ch Insp Martin Whitelegg, in charge of policing in Shropshire, said: "Overall, it's been a neutral situation with no marked increase or reduction in crime or disorder directly related to the relaxing of restrictions on drinking times."

'Too early'

Staffordshire Police said changes in the law, such as the ability to review licences, were being used to good effect.

The county had seen a small fall in the number of alcohol-related violent crimes while violence in licensed premises such as pubs and clubs had fallen by 7.3%.

"We feel it is too early to say what impact the new legislation has had.

"There are many other factors to consider, for example, our public order strategy, the issuing of fixed penalty notices and enforcement work carried out with local councils."