ACS

The Chief Executive of ACS, James Lowman has given evidence to the Home Affairs Committee as part of the inquiry into Policing in the 21st Century.

The panel asked challenging questions about a range of controversial alcohol issues. In response to a challenge from the Committee that more regulation is necessary to regulate price and availability of alcohol, he said: “there is no one lever that we can pull that will solve the problems of alcohol related harm, the key is effective partnership working to address all the causes of alcohol related harm.”

Mr Lowman, who appeared alongside representatives from ASDA. Tesco and the British Beer & Pub Association, gave the perspective of local shops, particularly in relation to alcohol sales and alcohol-related disorder. Issues covered in the hearing included:

• The effectiveness of the Licensing Act 2003
• Alcohol pricing and its relation to alcohol-related disorder
• Enforcement against rogue retailers
• Local crime partnerships and other mechanisms for tackling alcohol-related disorder.

Speaking after the hearing Mr Lowman said: “The hearing was an invaluable opportunity to explain the way in which local shops can work in partnership with the police, local authorities, parents, schools and other agencies to help tackle problems related to alcohol. The recent initiative led by the off-licence trade in St Neots, Cambridgeshire is a fantastic example of how this approach can deliver results”.

“There is a tendency to over-simplify the very complex issues surrounding alcohol, and to believe that simple, headline-grabbing measures are the way to address them. I sought to explain to the Committee that properly-targeted measures, using the existing powers in the Licensing Act 2003, and emphasising the role of parents and the individual responsibilities of people who choose to drink, is the best way to tackle alcohol-related disorder and anti-social behaviour.”

The Committee of MPs has also been receiving evidence from police officers, local authorities and other stakeholders.

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Michael Saxton/ Julie Kirby Grappa PR
020 7602 9222



Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
2. The Home Affairs Committee is made up of: RT Hon Keith Vaz (Lab, Leicester East); Tom Brake (LD, Carshalton & Wallington); Karen Buck (Lab, Regent’s Park & North Kensington); James Clappison (Con, Hertsmere); Ann Cryer (Lab, Keighley); David TC Davies (Con, Monmouth); Janet Dean (Lab, Burton); Patrick Mercer (Con, Newark); Margaret Moran (Lab, Luton South); Gwyn Prosser (Lab, Dover); Bob Russell (LD, Colchester); Martin Salter (Lab, Reading West); Gary Streeter (Con, South West Devon); David Winnick (Lab, Walsall North).