New Conservative proposals to tackle soaring levels of alcohol-related violence and yob behaviour in village and town centres - such as Tenby - have been supported by David Morris, the Conservative's parliamentary spokesman for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. Analysis of Home Office crime statistics has revealed that the number of offences of 'violence against the person' across Pembrokeshire have soared by 68 per cent since 1999, with alcohol a key cause. David explained: "I am all in favour of people having a good time out. But where I live in Tenby, like in towns and cities across Britain today, we are creating not a cafe culture, but a yob culture. The right to have a drink brings with it a responsibility - the responsibility not to ruin everyone else's evening. "I have lost count of the times that my neighbours in Tenby have told me that they feel intimidated by the growing levels of yob behaviour." Under the new policies proposed by Conservatives: • Local councils will have greater discretion over licensing hours, rather than having to follow Whitehall diktats. This will mean local residents will have a greater say. • There should be stronger powers to control late licences to prevent 'disorder hotspots' where there are too many bars or pubs in a vicinity. • Councils should have the ability to prohibit 'all you can drink' promotions, where young people are encouraged to binge drink on free drinks after paying a one-off entrance fee. David continued: "Binge drinking and under-age drinking has a direct link to soaring levels of violent crime. The face of Tenby has changed. It is time to reclaim our streets and make them safer for everyone at night."
