Bid to empty town of drunks
Reporter: Oldham Licensing Committee by RICHARD HOOTON
Date published: 10 June 2009
RAMPAGING drunks will be targeted on the streets of Oldham under a new scheme being considered by the town’s pub and club owners.
Trade bodies are proposing implementing a Best Bar None scheme to improve Oldham’s drink-soaked image.
The suggestion came as police chiefs gave details of sickening assaults and said they want to see a reduction in demand in Yorkshire Street.
Superintendent Stuart Goodwin, deputy head of Oldham Police, said law-abiding people had witnessed horrific violence and he had videos showing thugs in the middle of the street kicking people on the floor and using someone’s head as a trampoline.
He said the town centre’s reputation as a dangerous place in the evenings had increased because of negative media headlines.
This was highlighted by a survey where 58 per cent said Oldham was the place to avoid in Greater Manchester because of drunken behaviour.
He added: “It’s not a temporary phenomenon. Oldham town centre has serious problems with the night time economy.
“There’s an atmosphere at night that puts people off.”
Figures show the majority of violent crime (60 per cent) happens between 10pm Friday and 4am Sunday and 31 per cent in the town centre.
Glasses or bottles were used in 32 per cent of last year’s serious violent assaults and there have also been 10 night-time rapes in the town centre over the past three years.
But Councillor David Jones cautioned against creating a depressing picture, when for the majority of people the town centre was a safe place at night.
He said he had been in pubs after leaving Oldham Coliseum at night and he had never felt threatened.
But Supt Goodwin said most problems occur after 1am, as places are closing.
Paul Smith, executive director of late-night bar and club trade body Noctis, said the Best Bar None scheme gave licensees a guide to running a responsible establishment and they would face rigorous checks to make sure they complied with a standard criteria.
While the scheme was voluntary it did not reflect well on those that refused to take part or dropped out.
It had been operating for around five years in Manchester after being started by the police.
He said the scheme would help licensees raise standards collectively to make Oldham a safer place.
There was now renewed enthusiasm from licensees to get involved and he wanted to see if the council was keen for a scheme to start in Oldham.
He said: “There’s clearly problems on the streets of Oldham and a bad reputation but this will be positive and show Oldham is doing a good job to tackle the issue.”
Councillor Derek Heffernan said: “This scheme seems to have many resemblances to the taxi star scheme that’s been a roaring success in this borough. We should support them to see if we can get this running.”
Taxi rules tightened
GUIDELINES for determining taxi licenses have been tightened.
Applications are likely to be refused if the applicant has a conviction for dishonesty in the last three years.
Applicants should be 10 years conviction-free for serious violence, five years for racially-aggravated offences and three years for public order and minor assaults.
Drugs offences have been doubled to 10 years conviction-free.
Motoring offences have been categorised as major, intermediate and minor with differing guidance.
Councillor Fida Hussain complained that a guideline stating applicants who have broken a 30mph speed limit should show a period of at least six months free from conviction before being considered was too draconian and would result in a shortage of drivers and Magistrates overturning decisions.
But head of Trading Standards Tony Allen said: “Speeding is not a minor offence and we should not be treating it as such.”
Licensing chief John Garforth said: “Our main concern is protecting the public. People want to be assured they will get a safe journey with a safe driver in a safe vehicle.”
OLDHAM’S taxi industry was described as “the jewel in Oldham’s crown” as it was revealed that standards are high.
The council’s star rating scheme shows improved performances with Cartax Radio Cars and Delta Cars rated the maximum four stars, 22 firms rated three stars and 18 firms two stars. Royton Cars is the only one-star firm.
Head of Trading Standards and Licensing Tony Allen said: “I’m very pleased there are no companies operating in Oldham with no stars and only one with one star — and they are working hard with officers to address it.”
He said there had been enormous improvements in vehicle inspections with only three per cent reported for prosecution, compared with 26 per cent in previous operations.
Review - is it legal?
THE legality of a collective review into the licences of all 22 pubs and clubs in Oldham town centre was questioned.
During public questions, Andrew Walker asked what advice was given from the Home Office, Alcohol Strategy Unit or solicitors on the decision and whether it was lawful.
Head of Trading Standards and Licensing Tony Allen said the committee had received no advice except for legal advice given to the council, which will not be disclosed as it’s exempt or confidential information.
He added that cabinet member Councillor Mark Alcock would give a written answer on behalf of Trading Standards as a Freedom of Information Act request.
