WHERE a late night drinks licence creates additional policing costs in places like Warrington’s Bridge Street, those costs should be borne by the licensees.
That’s the view of Neil Lewis, the Liberal Democrat candidate to become Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner at the election on May 5.
Neil visited Warrington to meet with local councillors and election candidates.
He was briefed by The Lib Dem group leader on Warrington Borough Council, Cllr Bob Barr, about the award winning Bridge Street ArcAngel Scheme which achieved Home Office Exemplar status.
Cllr Barr said: “ArcAngel is a nationally recognised scheme to reduce crime and disorder in areas with a large number of licensed premises. The scheme, pioneered in Warrington under the Liberal Democrat led administration, was very successful in reducing disorder in the Bridge Street area at night.
Recently the police have complained that lax licensing by Warrington Borough Council’s licensing committee is reducing the effectiveness of the initiative and disorder is increasing again. This is most unfortunate.”
Mr Lewis said: “Stronger licensing powers and more powers for the police to reduce disorder and control licensed premises are going to be needed to make Bridge Street the safe and friendly area it needs to be. I am committed to focusing on the cost of late night policing to ensure that residents get value for money.”
Cllr Bob Barr meets Neil Lewis in Bridge Street, Warrington
“Pub and club bosses should pay extra policing costs”
00 Comments
