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| LOL!..........sorry.......FOR SHAME! Cardiff's saturation zones policy doesn't extend to transvestites. (Pic: Maciej Dacowicz via Perthnow.au) |
Cardiff Council and South Wales Police (SWP) are taking strong measures to curb alcohol-related crime in and around Cardiff city centre.
Cardiff Council and SWP are using "saturation zones" in certain streets to limit the numbers of alcohol licences permitted. The idea is that if the number of venues selling alcohol is capped, then alcohol-related crime would fall. In the last week or two a businessman planning to bring several derelict buildings into use on St Mary Street as nightclubs (suggesting 200 jobs would be created) has had his application thrown into doubt because it contravened this "saturation zone" policy.
In addition, SWP are pushing for venues in Cardiff city centre to scan the fingerprints and take the photo /scan driving licence of patrons to create a database that could be used to identify troublemakers. SWP are also are pushing for participation in the scheme to eventually become a mandatory licencing requirement.
Saturation Zones
In practically every single town or city in the UK, there will be a street (or streets) which become notorious for fights or assorted rowdiness. "Saturation" of takeaways and pubs/clubs right next door to each other is undoubtedly a factor in alcohol-related disorder - I don't dispute that.
According to the Home Office crime maps these are the numbers of recorded crimes on each of Cardiff city centre's main "drinking" streets in September 2011:
Cardiff Council and SWP are using "saturation zones" in certain streets to limit the numbers of alcohol licences permitted. The idea is that if the number of venues selling alcohol is capped, then alcohol-related crime would fall. In the last week or two a businessman planning to bring several derelict buildings into use on St Mary Street as nightclubs (suggesting 200 jobs would be created) has had his application thrown into doubt because it contravened this "saturation zone" policy.
In addition, SWP are pushing for venues in Cardiff city centre to scan the fingerprints and take the photo /scan driving licence of patrons to create a database that could be used to identify troublemakers. SWP are also are pushing for participation in the scheme to eventually become a mandatory licencing requirement.
Saturation Zones
In practically every single town or city in the UK, there will be a street (or streets) which become notorious for fights or assorted rowdiness. "Saturation" of takeaways and pubs/clubs right next door to each other is undoubtedly a factor in alcohol-related disorder - I don't dispute that.
According to the Home Office crime maps these are the numbers of recorded crimes on each of Cardiff city centre's main "drinking" streets in September 2011:
- St Mary Street -60
- Caroline Street -56
- Greyfriars Road/Crockherbtown -92
- Mill Lane -41
So an average of around 62 recorded crimes a month per street. Many won't be alcohol-related (like thefts) and the bulk of which I'm guessing will be on Friday and Saturday nights, peaking during "events" in the city centre. I'll leave you to make your own minds up if these are manageable figures for the police or not.
I don't believe it's good planning policy to prejudice applications based on their use or set quotas for streets. All that will happen in the trouble will be spread over a wider area - especially if particular venues are problem ones and simply relocate to another part of the city.
I'm sure we've all seen the notorious photos by Polish photographer Maciej Dakowicz of Cardiff city centre at night. However embarrassing it is for the city, or Cardiff Council's vain attempt to create some sort of "highbrow/cosmopolitan" night economy, the hard fact is that the Welsh, English and Scottish can't handle their drink. Swapping Walkabout for few upmarket wine bars won't change the scenes of drunken debauchery which we
Fingerprinting/ID
I'm staggered that the Liberal Democrats or Plaid Cymru (the ruling Cardiff Council coalition) would support this considering both parties previous opposition to ID Cards and the DNA register. In fairness it's a Lib Dem Councillor (Ed Bridges) who's raised the issue. Considering he's also chair of the licensing committee, it seems unlikely that SWP will get their way.
I don't believe that this is a massive erosion of civil liberties, but I do think it's a presumption of guilt towards anyone who goes into a venue in Cardiff. Saturation Zones or fingerprinting wouldn't prevent crimes like the brutal attack on a 19-year old in Cardiff the other week.
I don't understand why licensees would willingly sign up to this.
There's a saying "don't go into a pub with a flat roof". Another saying that could join it is "don't go into a nightclub with a fingerprint scanner".
It's a big neon sign saying "Criminals R Us" or more morbidly "poor fire safety".
Pubs and clubs in Bridgend and Porthcawl have a system where they are linked by walkie talkie (Nite Net) and can notify each other (and the police) instantly of any potential troublemakers/trouble making. It also means that troublemakers can be barred across town centres with every venue knowing who they are. Monthly meetings are held by participating clubs and pubs with the police to coordinate the scheme and raise issues.
Although there would clearly be logistical challenges doing this in Cardiff (or Swansea's Wind Street), is this just too "low tech" and too "common sense" for Cardiff Council and SWP?
"I'm staggered that the Liberal Democrats or Plaid Cymru (the ruling Cardiff Council coalition) would genuinely support this considering both parties previous opposition to ID Cards and the DNA register. In fairness it's a Lib Dem Councillor (Ed Bridges) who's raised the issue. Considering he's also chair of the licensing committee, it seems unlikely that SWP will get their way."
ReplyDeleteThere is of course an election next year, and labour are hopeful of regaining control of the city council. They certainly won't be put off by concerns over civil liberty, especially if there are profitable IT contracts involved.
Not wanting to drift too far off topic but it'll be interesting to see if the Greens or even smaller Socialist parties have any sort of impact in next years elections in Cardiff.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure many of them would've been amongst those "evicted" from Cardiff Castle grounds the other day and would likely take a dim view of any "authoritarian" moves by the police, which might be crucial should Labour require their support in any theoretical new coalition.