NCJ Number
116233
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
British Home Office circular No. 68/1988 outlines the wide powers available to the courts, licensing justices, and police to prevent and curb disorder related to alcohol use.
Abstract
There are a growing number of reports of disorder in rural areas of England and Wales and of incidents of football hooliganism in which alcohol has played a significant part. The courts and licensing justices have power under licensing laws to grant, refuse, renew, or revoke licenses for drinking establishments. With the introduction of 3-year licenses in February 1989, the Licensing Act 1988 will give licensing justices the power to revoke a license at any licensing session on any grounds on which they may refuse to renew a license. The new powers of revocation will enable justices to exercise greater and more immediate control over troublesome premises. The circular also pertains to powers over the daily running of licensed premises, underage drinking, late-night licensing extensions, and the use of exclusion orders to bar specific persons from licensed premises. The circular also considers the power to close premises for times which hold high risk for disorder, Section 188 of the Licensing Act 1964, appeals against licensing justices' decisions, and police powers to enter licensed premises. Home Office circular 62/1988, to be issued shortly, will provide guidance and a general framework for the development of local plans to provide special arrangements for bringing people quickly before the court when this seems desirable. Overall, the circular emphasizes action to prevent crime and disorder associated with alcohol consumption. Appended relevant legislation.