Agenda item

5.            Chief Constable's Report to the Scottish Borders Licensing Board for the Period 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2021

There had been circulated copies of Police Scotland’s Annual Licensing Report for 2020/21. PC Lackenby was in attendance to present the report and answer questions.  The report explained that Police Scotland continued to work closely with local authorities and partnership agencies to deliver effective regulation in liquor licensing.  Preventing alcohol fuelled violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour was a priority and working closely with Licensed Premises and Scottish Government to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through the 4Es approach by engaging, explaining, education and enforcing.  Within the Scottish Borders there were currently 47 ‘on sales’ 109 ‘off sales’ and 290 combined on/off premises.  There were significant demands on police resources placed in the Scottish Borders area by the Common Riding festivals and Rugby 7s tournaments and there were currently three premises trading until 3 a.m. at the weekend, with the annual occasional extensions for some Common Riding Town Balls extending to 5 a.m.  In the Alcohol Outlet Availability and Harm report (April 2018) published by Alcohol Focus Scotland, Scottish Borders was ranked 15^th out of 30 local authority areas for alcohol outlet availability in Scotland.  Crime rates in the neighbourhoods with the most alcohol outlets were 4.4 times higher than in neighbourhoods with the least. In the Scottish Borders there were 341 recorded incidents in licensed premises between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020, this figure showed a slight decrease of 1.15% on the year before.  The report went on to outline the well-established Intervention Process whereby incidents connected to premises were identified by Licensing Officers who evaluate the Licensing Objectives to determine if any had been compromised.  

6.1       The year 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021 was very unique in many ways, particularly in relation to the licensed trade due to the various restrictions placed on premises on how, when and where they can safely operate throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Police Scotland set up ‘Operation Talla’ in response to the pandemic, ensuring a consistent and measured approach was taken to implementing restrictions throughout the country. Lothian & Scottish Borders Licensing Department worked closely with Operation Talla, as well as Liquor & Civic Licensing Policy Unit to provide clear and consistent advice to operational officers, to enable them to support premises as they introduced special measures in their premises in response to restrictions.  Police Licensing, in partnership with Licensing Standard Officers (LSO’s) and Environmental Health Officers worked closely with the licensed trade, including legal representatives, throughout this difficult time, providing guidance, advice and support to them and their staff to assist in the safe operation of licensed premises through the unprecedented challenges that faced them over the reporting period.  In the Scottish Borders, there were 200 recorded incidents in licensed premises between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021, this figure showed a major decrease from 341 recorded incidents equating to 41% on the year before. There continued to be a notable trend in thefts of alcohol from ‘off sales’ premises over the reporting year, this may be due to the impact that Covid-19 has had on society. Police Scotland carried out 696 recorded inspections of licensed premises in the Borders during the reporting year. The local Police Licensing Officer continued to work alongside the Council’s Licensing Standards Officers to maintain effective information sharing procedures and establish good partnership working.  This unified approach had resulted in a number of successful resolutions in the Scottish Borders. 

            DECISION

            NOTED the report.