‘No alcohol-related rise in crime’

6:29pm Thursday 12th January 2006

Fears of soaring levels of alcohol-related violence in Hertsmere linked to the new licensing laws have failed to materialise, crime figures revealed this week.

Hertfordshire police statistics show that there has been no real change in the number of drink-related arrests since bars and pubs were allowed to open longer from the end of November.

But police say it is still too early to assess the full impact of the new laws, which led to pubs in Borehamwood being able to open an extra 100 hours a week.

Sergeant Nat Landau, from the community safety team, said: "It's really still too early to know the full impact the changes may or may not have, but to date we have not seen any significant movements on the levels of alcohol-related disorder.

"Across the central area, which includes Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett and Shenley, we made 80 arrests that were alcohol-related.

"That is 34 per cent of the total number of arrests we made over that six week period which is no more or less than usual."

In Borehamwood, more than half of the 22 pubs and clubs have been granted extended opening hours by Hertsmere Borough Council, which has taken over responsibility for licensing from magistrates.