Frighten drunken yobs, say Tories

Binge drinking costs the UK an estimated £20bn

Drunken "yobs" need to be given a dose of the fear they provoke in others, said the Tory leader as he urged new measures against "binge drinking".

"By putting fear into the hearts of yobs we will put hope into the hearts of decent law abiding families who play by the rules," said Michael Howard.

His plans include curbing "all you can drink" promotions in pubs and clubs.

Labour says its licensing reforms will tackle the problem. The Lib Dems want pubs to contribute to policing.

'No more nonsense'

Binge-drinking is said to cost the UK about £20bn a year and is seen as a problem by all three main parties.

At a Tory news conference on Tuesday, Mr Howard he was in favour of people having a good time as long as it did not turn into somebody else's "nightmare".

He pointed to youngsters becoming so drunk they could not stand up.

People were frightened of crime because there was "a lot of it about" and had seen for themselves "drunken havoc" in UK town centres, he said.

The five-point Tory plan to tackle the problem includes legislating to give councils the power to put conditions on drinks licences to prevent "irresponsible" promotions.

It would also end any presumption in favour of allowing drinking into the early hours. The Tories argue councils should have a greater say without fear of being overruled by magistrates.

Drinking reforms

Mr Howard also wants councils to have more power to block late licences for pubs and clubs in "disorder hotspots".

And he would allow parish councils and ward councillors to lodge objections against drink licence applications.

The Tories also say their plans for 40,000 more police would help tackle the problem.

The government's Licensing Act will allow pubs and clubs to open around the clock from next year.

Despite criticisms, ministers insist that staggering closing times can prevent late night disorder in town centres.

'Change under way'

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears called the Tory announcement "desperate stuff".

"Labour is already taking firm action on yobs and antisocial behaviour," she said.

"Everything the Tories are proposing is either already being implemented or is in Labour's forward programme on antisocial behaviour."

The Lib Dems say they would punish licensees who serve under-age drinkers and make big venues pay towards local policing.

They say their plans for acceptable behaviour contracts would help reduce noisy and offensive behaviour.