25th November 2005

Dear Sir,

At a time when violent crime is rising, the new licensing laws which came into effect yesterday threaten to increase crime, nuisance and disorder even further. We are all in favour of people enjoying a good night out. But the licensing “free for all” will not encourage a Mediterranean café culture as ministers predict, but an intensified yob culture.
These new laws fail to give local residents and councillors a strong enough say in what is best for their communities. Havering Council must follow the 180 page statutory government guidance, which creates a presumption in favour of late night licensing, yet local residents cannot object unless they live in the immediate vicinity. Appeals so far to magistrates’ courts have been overwhelmingly favourable to the drinks industry rather than local residents or councils.

For example, Roomes Stores of Upminster are among the many organisations suffering the consequences of the new licensing laws. Their occasional late night openings, when they offer a glass of wine to their customers, now require a separate licence each time for a specified date which allows no flexibility in making arrangements. Applications also have to be made more than 28 days in advance to allow time for the paperwork to be completed.

I have written to the minister responsible asking for fundamental change to the new law, not only to stop the upsurge in yobbish behaviour but also to stop the unnecessary expense and inconvenience to small clubs and community facilities where there is no history of alcohol related trouble. 

Yours faithfully

Angela Watkinson
Member of Parliament.