MALVERN: Later drinking has kept town rowdies in check

The new licensing law enabling pubs and bars to extend their serving times was introduced across the country in November 2005 amid fears this would lead to more drunken behaviour.

But according to the Malvern Hills District Council licensing committee annual report for 2006/07, which covers the 17-month period since the new laws were introduced, there has been no increase in disorderly conduct.

Phil Browning, licensing officer, says: "The perceived development of an unacceptable level of disorderly behaviour directly associated with longer opening hours has not materialised in the Malvern Hills district."

He said that since the new law was introduced, the one late-night drinking club in Malvern had closed and the owner believed that was partly due to other venues being able to serve drinks later.

"There are still instances of disorderly behaviour in Malvern but they are just a few.

"We are fairly fortunate we do not have a lot of clubs. The predicted increase in disorderly behaviour has not even materialised in the bigger conurbations."

Mr Browning said that the latest time for a bar or pub servicing alcohol in Malvern was 2am at weekends. He said people who wanted an extra drink after 11pm were able to stay at their local rather than having to move on to another venue, which was often when the problems used to occur.

But he said the effect of longer drinking hours had been felt by people living close to pubs and bars where music and entertainment is staged.

Sergeant Sara Goodman, of Malvern police, said: "The benefit is that we do not get this mass of people turing out at the same time and surging on to the streets. But I do not think there has been a significant impact on anti-social behaviour in Malvern.

"People do horrendous things when they are drunk. You can see the nicest people behave like animals when they are drunk. Unless the price of alcohol is put up dramatically there will still be problems. "