Police boss plans to use late night levy to tackle crime and disorder

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg will pass most of the money raised from a late night levy on Plymouth licensed trade back to Devon and Cornwall Police if it gets the go-ahead in November – but insists the Force must prove how it is being spent in the city.

Mr Hogg has decided that the 70 per cent of the levy attributed to policing the late night economy would be used to maintain and improve policing in areas affected by crime and disorder arising from late night opening of licensed premises.

Last year Devon and Cornwall Police spent £745,000 policing Plymouth’s evening and night time economy, £391,000 on staffing its Friday and Saturday night operation, and £354,000 detaining those arrested.

Plymouth City Council will vote on whether to impose the levy in November and it could be introduced by February next year. A fee of between £299 and £4,400 will be paid by all licensed premises that stay open after 12.30am.

It is expected to raise between £80,000 and £150,000, with 70 per cent going to the police and 30 per cent to the city council after administration charges are deducted.

“I welcome the vision set out by Plymouth City Council where economic development, planning and licensing work together to create a balanced night time economy,” said Mr Hogg.

“As I made clear at my alcohol conference in Plymouth last month I accept that there needs to be stricter regulation on the control of alcohol sales by supermarkets and other retail outlets. These sales clearly have a significant impact on the night time economy and I want retailers to be held accountable for their contribution to the problem of alcohol related crime.

“But it is clear that where licensed premises stay open into the early morning it requires a significant operational policing presence.

“Pubs, bars and clubs benefit from extending their opening hours so it is right that they should also meet a proportion of the cost generated by doing so.

“By doing this it means those living in the rest of the Force area are not further subsidising policing costs within Plymouth.

“I will, however, insist that this money isn’t simply absorbed into the general police funding but is spent in a way beneficial and transparent to the people of Plymouth.”