Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic - London

BMA Board of Science
The decision to permit extended licensing hours in England and Wales has received considerable
criticism in the medical community. 138-140
In 2005, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
raised concerns that extended licensing hours would result in greater numbers of people under the
influence of alcohol, and therefore lead to increased levels of crime and disorder, and associated
demands on policing. 141
It is essential that licensing reforms are based on the best available
evidence on the effects of increased licensing hours. It is also important that any changes to
licensing legislation are accompanied by a programme of post change research to evaluate the
short, intermediate and long-term effects, including an assessment of any health impacts. A recent
small-scale review of the effect of the new licensing laws in England and Wales found a statistically
significant increase in alcohol-related overnight attendances in the emergency department in St
Thomas’ hospital in London following the introduction of the new licensing legislation. 142
The number
of alcohol-related attendances increased from 79 (2.9% of all overnight attendances) in March 2005
to 250 (8% of all overnight attendances) in March 2006. 142
A 2007 Home Office report examining
violent crime, disorder and criminal damage since the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003
indicated that there had been an increase in offences of all types (criminal damage, harassment,
assault with no injury, less serious wounding, serious violent crime) between 3am and 6am after the
introduction of the 2003 Licensing Act in November 2005. 143
The report concluded that the increase
between 3am and 6am was likely to partly reflect the change to opening hours of licensed premises
and the increased numbers of people in a public place at these times. 143
A high density of alcohol outlets is also associated with increased alcohol sales, drunkenness,
114, 144-149
violence and other alcohol-related problems. A high density of outlets increases the
likelihood of movement between bars which in turn increases noise and disturbance in the vicinity,
complicates the assignment of responsibility to any one server or establishment to prevent
intoxification, and makes it easier for customers to respond to price promotions in the area. 149
Consumers are likely to be deterred from purchasing alcohol when there is a lower density of
outlets due to the increased time and inconvenience involved in purchasing. It is therefore
important that the density of alcohol outlets is taken into account when considering planning or
licence applications, and where necessary, legislative changes are introduced to ensure these
factors are considered. The surrounding infrastructure and availability of local amenities (eg taxi
services and food outlets) are also important considerations.
Recommendations
The availability of alcoholic products should be regulated through a reduction in licensing
hours for on- and off-licensed premises.
Town planning and licensing authorities should ensure they consider the local density of
on-licensed premises and the surrounding infrastructure when evaluating any planning or
licensing application. Legislative changes should be introduced where necessary to ensure
these factors are considered in planning or licensing applications for licensed premises.
Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic 51