Police fear new drinking and smoking laws have fuelled rise in crime

Sussex, England: Relaxed licensing laws and the smoking ban have led to a rise in violence on the streets.Police say drink-fuelled crime is on the rise because pub-goers are being forced outside to smoke. Extra patrols are already being sent to areas such as New Road, Brighton, where al fresco smoking has led to problems.Fears about the impact of the smoking ban comes on top of rising public place violent crime sparked by new 24-hour drinking legislation.Since the legislation came into force two years ago, there has been an extra 100 venues where customers can buy alcohol.
Sussex, England: Relaxed licensing laws and the smoking ban have led to a rise in violence on the streets.Police say drink-fuelled crime is on the rise because pub-goers are being forced outside to smoke.Extra patrols are already being sent to areas such as New Road, Brighton, where al fresco smoking has led to problems.Fears about the impact of the smoking ban comes on top of rising public place violent crime sparked by new 24-hour drinking legislation.Since the legislation came into force two years ago, there has been an extra 100 venues where customers can buy alcohol. Police warn that with growing pressure on the budget, overtime spending must be reduced and other means of controlling alcohol-related violence found. The information has emerged in a Sussex Police report arguing for the introduction of tougher measures to restrict new pubs and clubs opening in Brighton and Hove. Police are pushing for the introduction of one of the country's largest "cumulative impact zones" to stop new premises opening in areas already considered to be saturated with bars. Developments within the proposed area include the recently opened Oceana nightclub in West Street, with a capacity of 2,500, and the Hippodrome, Middle Street, which will also have a capacity of approximately 2,500 when completed. Violent crime in the city centre increased by five per cent in 2006, the first full year of the new licensing laws, compared with 2005. The trend for public place violent crime has been upward since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 in November 2005 and is expected to continue its upward trend, with a contributory factor being the introduction of the smokingban in July 2007. Police have said the increase is partly explained by the growing number of £80 fines handed out to binge drinkers early in the evening which often prevent more serious crimes being committed in the early hours. With the arrival of warmer weather, police are concerned the smoking ban will also spark violent crime.