This meeting took place on 3 December 2015. Read the transcript here.
Where are the hotspots for alcohol-related crime in the capital?
How does alcohol-fuelled crime affect demands on policing in London?
The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) says that London experiences a disproportionate level of crime linked to alcohol “because of the number of night time economy spots”.[1] The Mayor has told the Assembly that one of the reasons for an increase in violence with injury in the capital is “drunkenness in town centres”. [2]
With a commitment from the current Mayor to grow the capital’s Night-Time Economy[3] there are implications for policing, particularly with regard to alcohol-fuelled crime.
The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will tomorrow launch its investigation into the impact that alcohol has on policing London’s Night-Time Economy.
The Committee will also explore how licensing measures can help prevent crime and disorder, examining what difference the Licensing Act 2003 has made, since it permitted 24-hour licensing a decade ago.
The Committee will hear from the following guests:
- Jon Foster, Senior Research and Policy Officer, Institute of Alcohol Studies
- Christopher Snowden, Director of Lifestyle Economics, Institute of Economic Affairs
- Janice Hart, Service Director - Public Protection, London Borough of Islington
- Sgt Kevin Blenkinsopp, Policing lead for the Night-Time Economy, London Borough of Islington
- Commander Simon Letchford, Metropolitan Police
- Daisy Blench, Policy Manager - Alcohol Policy and Responsibility, British Beer & Pub Association
The meeting will take place on Thursday 3 December from 10:00am in the Chamber at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.
Notes to editors
- MOPAC website, Sobriety pilot.
- Mayor’s Question Time, Reducing violence in London, Question 2014/3074 (Oral).
- Boris Johnson backs plan for 'night mayor' to oversee capital's nighttime economy – Evening Standard, 19 October 2015
- Full Agenda papers.
- Joanne McCartney AM, Chair of the Police and Crime Committee is available for interview. See contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Mary Dolan on 020 7983 4603. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.