Police need to work with licensees

We all know that alcohol, young people and antisocial behaviour go hand in hand. However, the police are missing a trick. They do not currently have any sort of plausible relationship with licensees in Town. They are quite happy to go and do licence checks – incidentally it would be quite nice to see, out of the 109 licence checks that were carried out, how many managers/licensees were breaching the rules?

The police often come across as quite hostile towards licensees, and most licensees are very good. Why? Because they have to be and because their job depends on it. In years gone past the police would know a lot of the licensees on first-name terms, may possibly stand on the front door of the venues with them for a couple of minutes – which in itself gives a show of support and security. Now we struggle to get a smile or acknowledgement from them when they walk past and our first line of defence particularly at a weekend – our door staff – they don’t bother with unless they want assistance or information.

Surely if the police want to be able to keep antisocial behaviour and alcohol-induced crime to a minimum, the licensees would be the best place to start – they are more than willing to help the police, but need a non-hostile, non-judgemental attitude directed towards them.

Assistance works both ways.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD.

Editor’s footnote: a spokesman from Guernsey Police replies:

During the recent initiative in tackling antisocial behaviour, Guernsey Police carried out a number of visits to licensed premises aiming to provide support and reassurance whilst seeking to work closely with licensees. A small number of minor issues were identified that were pointed out to the appropriate person and were dealt with by means of advice, warning or education, where enforcement was not necessary. The matter of tackling antisocial and drunken behaviour is a shared responsibility across the community and not only for those who enforce the law. Guernsey Police welcome the opportunity to work together with other agencies and licensees in tackling an issue that effects the community’s way of life.