PCC Tony Hogg welcomes debate on sale of super-strength alcohol
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, Tony Hogg believes that a pilot trialled in Ipswich restricting the sale of high-strength alcohol, should be looked at for Plymouth.
The scheme is being considered by Plymouth's senior officer, Chief Superintendent Chris Singer who believes it might help to reduce alcohol-related street crime in certain areas of the city. The experiment by Suffolk Police has reportedly seen a nearly 20% drop in street crime in six months.
Chief Supt Singer believes that firm evidence needs to be established before any project could be rolled out, and that consultations with communities and local vendors would be key in identifying whether it could be successfully run in Plymouth. The scheme would target certain areas where alcohol-related crime was highest, such as the city centre and areas around Mutley.
Chief Supt SInger also stresses that the sale of cheap high strength beer, lager and cider is perfectly legitimate and any initiative to stop selling these types of alcohol would involve a partnership between police, shopkeepers and publicans to agree action on a voluntary basis.
Tony Hogg said: “I am very interested to hear about the Ipswich pilot on high strength alcohol. I think people are aware about my strong views on the impact of alcohol misuse and alcohol related crime. I’ve seen at first hand the damage it causes, the crime it leads to, and the policing resources it uses up.
"I believe we should look very closely at this pilot, and see how it may play a part in our overall alcohol related strategy for big cities such as Plymouth, and the night time economy generally."
As Chief Supt Singer has underlined, police are sensitive to concerns about restricting trade and people's right to purchase alcohol and Mr Hogg added:
"We certainly don’t want to spoil people’s enjoyment of responsible drinking, or target retailers, but some innovative action is required to continue and expand on some excellent work that’s already taking place in this regard. I back the police approach for an ‘evidential’ approach to this”.
