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Beware town drinking culture, PM warned

Press Association

Monday March 15, 2004 3:03 AM

Drink-related disorder risks spiralling out of control, the Home Secretary has warned Prime Minister Tony Blair in a leaked letter.

David Blunkett's warning was made public ahead of tomorrow's launch of the Government's long-awaited alcohol strategy.

Voluntary measures to tackle binge-drinking - from an end to "irresponsible" drinks promotions to town centre marshals - are expected.

The Home Secretary's call for tough new powers has been blocked for now by the Prime Minister, the Treasury and Culture Department.

But he could be allowed to charge pubs, bars and clubs for policing and set drinks prices if the voluntary approach fails to end Britain's booze problems, The Sunday Times reports.

His letter to the Prime Minister said the "situation at night in our towns and city centres raises serious concerns about the control of alcohol-related crime and disorder".

Growing numbers of pubs, bars and clubs mean police can no longer enforce licensing rules, other leaked documents say.

That worrying picture is expected to be reinforced when ministers set out the full extent of the problem tomorrow.

Under 16s are drinking twice as much as 10 years ago and lifestyle changes mean increasing numbers are continuing to drink heavily until a much later age.

Britain's drinks industry is worth £30 billion, creating more than one million jobs and contributing £7 billion a year in taxes. But the cost of alcohol misuse is an estimated £20 billion a year.

© Copyright Press Association Ltd 2004, All Rights Reserved.