POLICE want to adopt powers stop the sale of alcohol after 2am in Warrington town centre in a bid to reduce levels of drink-fuelled crime, anti-social behaviour and violence.
They accept that measures already adopted have reduced levels of crime and anti-social behaviour but believe an unacceptable problem still exists and further action is needed if the town is to shake off its reputation for late night violence and disorder.
Cheshire Police are urging the borough council to implement an Early Morning Alcohol Restriction Order (EMRO).
This gives the council powers to restrict the supply of alcohol for any period of time between midnight and 6am in any area where there are recurring problems of alcohol-related crime and disorder, serious public nuisance and other anti-social behaviour.
Warrington has 51 premises permitted to sell alcohol in the town centre, more than half of which are in the immediate vicinity of Bridge Street. The town centre’s night time economy has a capacity for up to 10,000 people.
There is a lack of diversity within the area with few restaurants, leisure or any other type of entertainment facility.
A report by the police states: “The town is relatively unique in respect of the density and type of licensed premises – ie, vertical drinking and loud music.
“The area around Bridge Street also suffers from a lack of a diverse clientele, with many visitors in the age range of 18-30, which presents many policing challenges with premises closing as late as 6am.”
The police request will be put to a meeting of the borough council’s licensing committee on Tuesday, September 3.
Warrington has significantly higher rates of hospital admission from alcohol related conditions compared with the rest of the country – and the rate is increasing year on year.
The under-18 hospital admission rate is significantly higher in Warrington. Hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol are increasing year on year and are higher in the central area when compared to the borough overall.
There are high levels of drinking to unsafe levels and binge drinking and women have significantly higher death rates from chronic liver disease. Death from alcohol related conditons are significantly higher in Fairfield and Howley.
Police say they are mindful that many businesses in the town centre are struggling as a result of the economic recession and that an EMRO that was not properly managed could have a further negative impact on business.
But they believe the future of the area could be protected and enhanced by collaboration between all partners, including business owners.
They say with the borough council’s proposed investment in the central area, alongside agreement on a consistent closing time, a pavement café environment, entertainment and collaborative re-launch, a sensibly agreed EMRO could be the catalyst to a new town centre.
Picture: Bridge Street – focal point for drink-fuelled violence and disorder.
2 Comments
Why 2am? Surely this ban should come into force at midnight? If it forces some of the clubs out of business, so much the better. As long as they are there, decent people will be discouraged from visiting Warrington in the evening whatever time they stop selling alcohol.
It was a stupid idea in the first place but WBC know best.