More powers needed over lap-dancing

MORE controls are needed on lap-dancing clubs, which can lead to a rise in sex attacks on women and sexually-transmitted diseases, according to Oldham’s licensing bosses.

They have told Government they need extra powers to regulate taste, decency and morality when clubs open.

Communities and licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe has asked councils, including Oldham, if the Licensing Act gives them enough powers over lap-dancing clubs.

Oldham’s response is that they don’t — and they are calling for similar powers already in use in London, where a study of effects of lap-dancing clubs produced worrying results.

The Lilith project found that when four lap-dancing clubs opened in Camden, allowing full nudity, there was an increase in noise, anti-social behaviour and sex attacks on women.

Rape doubled and indecent assaults went up 57 per cent in 2001, compared with 1999 before they opened.

Licensing officers say Oldham has had three lap-dancing clubs.

Because current laws mean the clubs need only a premises licence, covering dance performances or playing music, and selling alcohol, the council was unable to control their operation.

A report from John Garforth, principal licensing officer, said: “This eventually led to an increase in crime and disorder at those premises, which could have been avoided if the authority was able to place more stringent controls on the licences at the point of issue.”

All three have closed, but another has since opened, and he said the council has worked with police and owners to try and alleviate concerns about taste, decency and morality.

But he added: “The authority is powerless to force the applicant to agree to the extra measures.”

Licensing chairman Councillor Jim McArdle said Oldham’s response also makes the point that Oldham has been running Operation Messenger for three years, aimed at preventing underage girls, especially those in care, being groomed for sex.

The report says: “This operation has been highly successful, but we are concerned that the influence lap-dancing establishments can have.”

Councillor McArdle added: “If we could use powers in the Local Government Act, as they do in London, it would give the authority the right to control how many there are and give us extra powers to say how they are run.

“At the moment they can have the same licence as a bar, restaurant, or cafe, but we want similar powers to London where they are under the category of sexual encounter establishments.”