Would It Work

[teacake44]

We seem to have an epidemic of drunks being arrested, and police being stretched to the limit, and very little being done to combat the problem. A lot of these drunks are put up in cells over night, fed and watered the next morning, and given a fixed fine of £80, and sent on their merry way. Why not the £80 fine, along with a nights accommodation / food & drink, admin charge, wasting police time, total £175 + £80 = £255. Do you think it would help a little. Bearing in mind that some do want to get arrested so they have somewhere to sleep.

[Old_Geezer]

Don't see how that helps. Probably spent money on drink. Still wouldn't have accommodation. No point in just trying to use them as income.

[hc4361]

Drunks aren't going to be rational enough to worry about a big fine.

Hit the pubs and clubs that serve drunks where it hurts - big fines and temporary closure.

[teacake44]

They may not worry when their drunk, but in the cold light of day, may think twice before the following weekend.

[Maydup]

For those who chose to get arrested for somewhere to sleep, the level of fine is unlikely to be a deterent. Same goes for people who have become so drubk that they need arresting for thier behaviour.

What might help is a higher minimum price for alcohol in supermarkets and across all licensed premises. It would help the trade too and make drinking out a more of a responsible and enjoyable activity.

[teacake44]

So shall we just sail on, and do nothing, and the tax payer just keep footing the bill, opposed to the drunk.

[Zacs-Master]

I blame contactless payment. Nothing like seeing the money disappear out of your wallet to sober you up.

[hc4361]

It is illegal to serve alcohol to people who are drunk (s141 Licensing Act) and both the person serving the drunk and the licensee can be fined for each offence. It's high time this was enforced, with repeat offences resulting in suspension of the licence and temporary closure of the premises.

[ummmm]

hc - and what if the drunk person is not the one getting the rounds in? What if the pub is so busy the staff haven't got time to check each person who walks through the door?

Maydup - That won't help. It would just mean more pub closures.

[Jordyboy9]

It is illegal to serve alcohol to people who are drunk (s141 Licensing Act) and both the person serving the drunk >>>..is this an english law ? as i have seen people men and woman in scotland who could hardly stand or talk almost giving the barman the sign lanquage for another drink,

[hc4361]

Busy bars and clubs always have minders on the door - they should stop drunks getting in and eject those who become drunk.

Nowhere should be too busy to do the job properly. Drunks are dangerous, not necessarily through aggressive behaviour but the lack of coordination can cause tables to topple, glass to break and tempers to flare. It is the staffs responsibility to make sure this doesn't happen.

[hc4361]

I've seen it all over the country, jordy, in bars, clubs and off licences.

[Zacs-Master]

Licensing (Scotland) act:

289. It is an offence under section 112 to obtain or attempt to obtain, on relevant premises, alcohol for consumption on those premises by a person who is drunk. 290. It is an offence to sell or attempt to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk, or to allow alcohol to be sold to such a person, on relevant premises

[hc4361]

It applies to Scotland, too
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/17/section/141?timeline=true

[hc4361]

It's also an offence to buy alcohol for a drunk - s.142 of the Act

[teacake44]

hc436 I hear what you say, and understand, but that's my whole point, none of what you say is happening, and the problem is being left to the police and the tax payer, Pub/ bars are struggling for profits, so to put someone who is throwing money over the bar, like there's no tomorrow out the door, is not going to happen to often.

[Jordyboy9]

so does this mean when i see the 6ft4 barman selling drink to old willie and his wife who are so drunk the can hardly stand you are breaking the law and should desist now?

[Zacs-Master]

Erm....yes.

The whole problem (and catch 22 situation) is....the Govt make billions in taxes from alcohol sales every year. Although I understand this is falling. Making students pay back their loans quicker, so they didn’t have as much disposable income might help.

[teacake44]

Good point, so lets add vat on top of the fine/ accommodation. Hit them were it hurts the most, or sit back and do nothing, its also costing the NHS in treatment.

[KARL]

No single/lone sector of society is to blame. Drinking is an almost crucially central part of UK society - just follow conversations, the mention of something connected to drinking peppers them like seeds in raspberry jam. Ask for directions in an urban area and the chances are that at least once every 300m a business landmark will be mentioned, a pub. People lament the closure of pubs as if someone close has died, the cost of living is (among the British) measured and compared country to country first and foremost in the price of drink. You are in this post holding up to question the very fabric of being British.

[ummmm]

hc..no they don't always have bouncers on the doors.