Pubs and clubs could close earlier

Thursday 17 October 2019

Efforts to curb drunken offences could lead to minimum pricing rules on alcohol sales and earlier closing times for Guernsey's licenced premises.

The idea was hinted during a speech made to the States of Guernsey yesterday as Home Affairs President, Deputy Mary Lowe, gave an update on her committee's work to her colleagues.

She was speaking just days after the release of the 2018 Law Enforcement Report revealed almost half of all people arrested last year were under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Deputy Lowe told the States there had also been a rise in the number of assaults on police officers, which was also put at the door of alcohol consumption.

"The report stands as a testimony to the excellent and dependable service which we as a Bailiwick receive from the dedicated officers who play a key role in ensuring this is a safe and secure place to live.

"It is therefore very disappointing to see the stark rise in the number of assaults on police officers, and to note that half of all offences are drink-related.

"It would be too easy for this Assembly to sit back and see this as someone else's problem. The fact is that it is ours."

Pictured: Deputy Mary Lowe. 

Deputy Lowe said the problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption is a situation the States can solve, with a couple of suggestions how that can be done.

Looking to Scotland, the Home Affairs President suggested a minimum pricing system for alcoholic units could be considered as well as a change to closing times for pubs and clubs.

"Excess alcohol consumption leads to disorder, violence, injury, illness and disruption of lives and it is this Assembly, through its Committees that can change the situation.

"As an example we have seen the effectiveness of the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in Scotland and it maybe the same needs to be explored here. We may also need to consider whether late night drinking in pubs and clubs should be reassessed.

"The Law Enforcement annual report has highlighted some of the very real negative impacts on our community of excess alcohol consumption and it behoves us as an Assembly, as Committees and as individual Members to work together to tackle it."

The general update statement given by @deputymarylowe, the President of the Committee for Home Affairs can be read here: https://t.co/zTZ6s4L7ZP

— States of Guernsey (@Govgg) October 16, 2019

Above: Deputy Lowe's speech can be read in full via gov.gg 

Deputy Lowe also used her speech to the States to encourage people to contribute to the Justice Review Survey.

It is open until 25 October, and is intended to "capture the views of interested members of the public and their understanding of what Justice means to our community."

"I would encourage members and the public to take this opportunity to have their say," she said.

"I will re-iterate once again how important 'Justice' is for any society. This is about fair treatment for all, and the rules and structures by which we deal with those who choose not to respect the rules.

"The Bailiwick's desired framework for Justice needs to be appropriate to our circumstances and the will of the people.

"The Justice Review we are leading is looking at the systems, structures and approaches we currently use, considering what opportunities might exist to improve on what we have, both in terms of outcomes and general efficiency, and providing the States with suggestions for discussion on how it might evolve and change. In this respect the Committee will be submitting a Policy Letter this December. Of course the debate which will follow will not mark the end of the Justice Policy journey but rather it will be a case of taking stock of where we are and for the States to determine where we go in the years ahead. 

"Work on the Justice Review has been quite intense and in this respect the Committee would like to thank all the States Committees, officers, third sector agencies and members of the public who have assisted and participated in the review so far."