Members of the LVA in Tenby met with Pembrokeshire County Council licensing officers this week to raise concerns over reports of 'anti-social behaviour' that have been linked to public houses in the town. Licensees also felt they were being singled out in Pembrokeshire, with steps already being taken by the police to crackdown on further applications for late licensing hours. As the town's police chief, Inspector Les Clark, remarked in last week's Observer: "I have already indicated that I would make objections to further proliferation of licensing within the town and this policy has been successful already, with one application withdrawn prior to the hearing. "I am currently in discussion with local licensees to discuss other measures that may be possible to further bear down on drink related anti-social behaviour." However, at the meeting, PCC licensing officers Tony Davies and Sarah Oliver were keen to point out that they could only offer advice on licensing issues and in particular the new legislation that was soon to be introduced, and that any policing matters were for the town's inspector to clear up. "We, as licensing officers, are here to work together with the licensees of this town and work together on any issues, so it's in our best interest and yours that your businesses continue to thrive, as if you went out of business, we officers would be out of a job, so it's important and a credit to the LVA that we've come so far as to sit around this table and work together," said Sarah Oliver. Chairman of the LVA and licensee of the Sun Inn, Tenby, Clr. Damian Brown, voiced his concern that premises that were not part of the LVA seemed to be left alone by licensing and police authorities. "We're all asking ourselves the question: Should we consider disbanding the LVA? We are trying to show our support towards the community, and police, but now feel that we are not getting the support back." Licensing officer Tony Davies was quick to point out, though, that he did not think that was the way forward. "You should be expanding, not disbanding, as you as the LVA have formed an extremely effective pressure group, and will be in a good position to answer questions from residents and query objections. "I think it's unfair to say that you don't think you're receiving the support back, as if that's the case, what do you think myself and Sarah are doing here today," added Mr. Davies. Other main issues raised by members of the LVA were in relation to the 24-hour licence that is due to be introduced; and how would crimes committed on licensed premises reflect on businesses when they were reported to the police. "One question that everyone is asking is what will the 24-hour license entail, as it has caused panic and unrest with all members of the community, stated Clr. Brown. "Also, we as the LVA have always been encouraged to 'phone the police and to work in partnership with them, but we now find that this is being used as an anti-social statistic against us." Mr. Davies felt their had been a misconception in the 'tabloid press' over 24-hour licences and was quick to explain the policy further. "I think we should clear up that the 24-hour licence legislation will not mean round-the-clock consumption of alcohol," he said. "It will simply be in place to abolish fixed licensing hours in favour of hours tailored to individual premises. "One of the aims of the new licensing regime is to prevent the mass exodus of patrons from premises at 11 pm. The authority recognises that longer and more flexible licensing hours can contribute to easing crime and disorder problems by ensuring that large amounts of customers leaving premises at the same time are avoided, thereby helping reduce friction, disorder, peaks of noise and other forms of disturbance," Mr. Davies added. On the subject of alcohol-related crime statistics that could be attributed to certain premises, Mr. Davies gave this responded: "The stats don't lie when it comes to crimes, and there was an increase last year of 50 per cent from the previous year in alcohol-related crimes. "However, each licensed premises will be looked at on their own merit when it comes to dealing with applications, and the authorities will take on board the potential for nuisance, the nature and character of the area in which the business is situated, with special recognition for the need to protect residential areas; also the steps the applicant proposes taking in reducing the risk of nuisance and anti-social behaviour occurring." Sarah Oliver also made the point that Tenby itself had received some unfair publicity in relation to anti-social behaviour issues, which may have led to licensees having more cause for concern. "I think the public perception of Tenby recently has been misguided, with everyone keen to associate the town with stag and hen parties and all manner of drunken behaviour, taking away its perceived seaside family resort character," she remarked. "However, I myself, would be happy to see my family walking down the streets of Tenby at 11 pm on a weekend, more than a lot of other towns in the county."
