Councillors to consider plan to tackle ‘24/7 drinking culture’

Coun Bill Chatt, Scarborough Borough Council’s cabinet member for public health and housing, was speaking as members of the authority prepare to meet next week to discuss adopting an action plan to tackle the issue in Scarborough, Whitby and Filey and reduce drink-related crime and disorder.

A report to the committee, which meets on Tuesday, says: “Crime and anti-social behaviour within the night time economy have both decreased overall since 2009, although crime figures do show a small increase between 2011/12 and 2012/13.

“In addition there remain some serious concerns about alcohol related crime and disorder which is showing an increasing trend, particularly in Scarborough town. Whilst the numbers are relatively small there have been some very serious violent incidents within Scarborough town centre in recent months and significant public concerns about these.”

“I think that we need to go back to a time when pubs shut at a time and nightclubs shut at a certain time. I think that this 24/7 drinking culture has been tried and failed,” Coun Chatt said.

The report says “pre-loading”, where people are drinking large amounts of alcohol at home before coming into the town centres to begin their night out, is a growing feature of the night time economy, particularly in Scarborough. Crime statistics show problems are concentrated between midnight and 5am.

It says that feedback with licensees highlights concerns about “pre-loading” and the need for more a more proactive prevention clampdown on individuals and premises.

If the action plan is adopted the initial focus will be on Scarborough town, with action in Whitby and also Filey. It proposes trying to introduce a more diverse night time economy, offering more variety and encouraging people of all ages to enjoy nights out. This could include the late opening of cafes, events over the summer and cultural and retail activities.

Improving training for those working in the night-time economy and controlling crowds of young people on the pub-club routes also feature in the plan.

Members are also being urged to apply for Scarborough Town Centre to be classed as a Local Alcohol Action Area (LAAA), a Government bid to tackle problem areas.