Call to extend licensing controls in Hove after rise in crime

By The Newsroom
Published 8th Aug 2018, 11:23 BST
Updated 31st Aug 2018, 17:23 BST
The existing special stress area and cumulative impact zone, as well as the proposed extension into HoveThe existing special stress area and cumulative impact zone, as well as the proposed extension into Hove
The existing special stress area and cumulative impact zone, as well as the proposed extension into Hove
Drinkers, drug users and related criminal and anti-social behaviour have prompted a review of licensing rules for the centre of Hove.

Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls said: “There is a concentration of anti-social behaviour and alcohol and substance misuse related disturbance in a number of roads in Central Hove.

“There are emergency accommodation premises, some of which are entirely unsupported, a children’s home, two Equinox-run homes for women recovering from alcohol and substance misuse, two hostels for stag and hen dos and people needing emergency (self-supported) accommodation.”

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He set out the problems and a call for action in a letter to Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing committee – and he was supported by Labour councillor Clare Moonan.

They urged the committee to include their ward, Central Hove, in the council’s ‘special stress area’ – the name for a zone where new alcohol licences are subject to greater scrutiny.

And now a consultation is under way to help the committee to decide if extending the special stress area is the best way to tackle the concerns about crime and disorder and public nuisance.

Any business applying for a new licence would have to show that it had robust plans to ensure that it would not add to the area’s problems.

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