Spalding’s top policeman wants licensed premises to pay towards policing the town at night.
Insp Jim Tyner is calling on South Holland District Council to introduce a late night levy. He believes it is time that the stretched police budget had support from the pubs and the town’s nightclub that profit from the large numbers frequenting them, particularly at the weekend.
Insp Tyner’s call follows comments made by Loaded nightclub owner Matt Clark in the wake of violent group fights on town centre streets on June 21 and 22. Mr Clark claimed fewer police on the street at night was a problem.
Insp Tyner said: “Many local authorities have introduced late night levies – a means of ensuring that those that benefit from the nighttime economy contribute towards policing the nighttime economy.
“At this time the local authority have chosen not to exercise their power to introduce such a levy.”
South Holland District Council is having a £100,000 upgrade to its district-wide CCTV system to improve quality of images and link it with the police radio system. It will be operated under a partnership scheme with Boston Borough Council.
Insp Tyner said: “If not managed correctly, a community can be plagued by anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled violence.
“CCTV and police patrols both have a role to play in combating this.
“Lincolnshire Police have the lowest number of officers since the 1970s. Although we still deploy patrols outside licensed premises every Friday and Saturday night, of course the reduced numbers have an impact on our resilience.
“It may be time for the local authority to reconsider late night levies to support the policing of the nighttime economy.”
Insp Tyner has the backing of the district council’s portfolio holder for licensing.
Coun Malcolm Chandler said: “I fully support the upgrading of the CCTV system across the district.
“I also believe that a policing presence is important and if there is a requirement to consider how a late night levy will assist the police with the tight resourcing issues, it is something the licensing authority will be prepared look into.”
