24 hour drinking leads to increase in violent crimes

2.09.00pm GMT Thu 6th Mar 2008

Commenting on the Government's review of 24-hour licensing, Sue said, "Liberal Democrats repeatedly warned that it was unwise to bring in 24-hour licensing when there were already problems with the drinking culture in this country.

"The relaxation of the laws has failed to cut alcohol-related crime or change the habits of drinkers. The impact of the Licensing Act introduced in November 2005 has clearly been a far cry for the continental café culture we were promised."

According to the recently published Home Office report, crimes involving violence have reduced over the evening and night-time period, but the numbers of offences occurring between 3am and 6am increased in the year after the introduction of the Act by 25 per cent.

Sue said, "An analysis of the impact of the Act in five locations across the country has shown that violent crime in Guildford has increased by 12 per cent. This is really very worrying; we don't want Guildford to become an alcohol-fuelled crime hot spot."