Alcohol-related violence
Activity to tackle alcohol-related violence through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme has been mainly enforcement based, implementing the lessons learnt Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns (AMECs) run by the Home Office. Main elements have been:
- Making smarter use of CCTV
- Test-purchase operations for 'under-age' sales at both on and off-licensed premises
- Focused multi-agency visits to targeted premises
- Targeted enforcement, including early intervention through targeted arrests and the use of fixed penalty notices, to address night-time economy issues.
The Home Office has run a number of TVCP AMEC campaigns in the TVCP areas. These have largely focused on addressing alcohol-related violence in town and city centres. The most recent campaign, which ran between January and March 2006, additionally involved working with licensees and providing a high visibility presence on estates, particularly in the early evening when anti-social behaviour often starts.
Other activity taking place in the TVCP areas has included setting up dedicated alcohol taskforces or Night Time Economy (NTE) groups to oversee work to reduce alcohol-related violence; taxi marshalling and targeted publicity campaigns to encourage people to think about how they will be getting home at the start of the evening; intelligence gathering via A&E departments to ascertain hotspots for alcohol-related injuries.
Click here for good practice within the TVCP on tackling alcohol-related violence.
Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns
National Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns have taken place in Summer 2004, Christmas 2004, Christmas 2005 and Summer 2006. Click here for more information and to download Lessons Learnt from these campaigns.
Click here for an analysis of and guidance on problem profiles carried out by AMEC areas during AMEC 4.
Click here for information about the Licensing Act 2003.
Best Bar None
Best Bar None is a scheme which aims to reduce the risk of alcohol related harm, disorder and crime by establishing a benchmark of good practice in licensed premises. Through Best Bar None we are seeking to create consistence of standards throughout the UK with which to underpin the alcohol harm reduction strategy and the 2003 Licensing Act. In addition we aim to improve the knowledge and skills of enforcement and regulation agencies, licensees and bar staff in order to deal effectively with issues relating to the management of licensed premises.
Best Bar None schemes are being set up in all TVCP areas. In each area, all licensed premises which apply for Best Bar None accreditation are assessed by independent assessors against four key objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm. Awards and accreditation are then given to successful premises.
Tackling alcohol-related crime
The TVCP sits alongside a wide range of work underway in the Home Office to tackle alcohol-related crime, including engagement with the licensing trade and the work of the Respect taskforce.
Click here to find out more.
A National Alcohol Conference took place in Bournemouth 23-34 November 2006. This was organised by GOSW in connection with the Home Office Police Standards Unit, and explored the work of the TVCP and AMEC campaigns. It also highlighted tactics and good practice in relating to dealing with problem licensed premises.
The Second National Alcohol Conference took place in Leeds on 27 and 28 November 2007. For further information please click here
Last update: Friday, November 21, 2008