Shock-to-stop booze crackdown
2005-11-15 16:13
London - The British government launched a hard-hitting campaign on Tuesday, aimed at shocking people into stopping binge drinking - a widespread problem - days before pubs become free to serve alcohol round the clock.
Hailing it the "biggest ever crackdown" on booze-fuelled anti-social behaviour, British ministers hammered home a tough line on loutish antics.
This is ahead of a possible firestorm on November 24, when many pubs become free to serve 24 hours a day under the controversial Licensing Act 2003.
"We are determined to crack down firmly on those who get drunk and cause misery to others," said British home secretary, Charles Clarke.
"The message is clear - go out, have a good time and enjoy a drink. But if you are intent on causing trouble, be certain that there will be a heavy price to pay."
Posters
The government has launched an eye-catching poster campaign that warns: "Get drunk and disorderly, get arrested and an £80 fine".
One poster shows a man urinating against a wall, with a stream of cash flowing down the drain. Another shows a pile of vomit in the shape of "80".
Under the new legislation, pubs in England and Wales will no longer have to close at 23:00.
About 700 bars, clubs and supermarkets, are now licensed to open 24 hours.
About 50 percent of the 200 000 licensed premises have applied for an extension.
British ministers believe that the 23:00 cut-off - introduced in World War 1 to curb drinking by munitions factory workers - encourages a social culture in which Britons rush their drinks to beat the deadline.
The British government now argues that scrapping the traditional closing time will cut binge drinking, and encourage a culture more akin to continental Europe.
December is a traditional month for boozy office Christmas parties and New Year revelry, but this year's campaign for moderation has come more than a month earlier than usual.
British culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, stressed that the new Licensing Act handed police increased powers to take on the louts and landlords serving to under-18s.
Conservatives
Fiercely against the act, the main opposition Conservatives have launched a last-ditch effort in parliament, likely to fail, to call time on the new law.
"We have a problem of binge drinking in this country. If you extend licensing hours, all you are going to do is give people longer to drink," said the Conservative's spokesperson on culture, Theresa May.
"We are going to see more problems of binge drinking, alcohol-fuelled violence, anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder on our streets."
There will, however, be no late-night rowdiness at Prime Ministe, Tony Blair's local pub - The Red Lion, near Downing Street, has been denied a licence extension.