Stockton businesses urged to join scheme to reduce ASB caused by alcohol
The Council's introducing the 'Reducing the Strength' campaign
It's hoped a scheme aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and reducing health issues caused by alcohol can be expanded outside of Stockton town centre.
The Council’s Licensing Team have been working with local businesses to introduce the 'Reducing the Strength' scheme which will see Premises Licence holders voluntarily agree to stop selling low cost, high strength alcohol such as beer, lager and cider above 6.5% Alcohol By Volume (ABV).
Reducing the Strength is being implemented following collaboration between the Council, local businesses and licence holders in Stockton Town Centre as well as partners at Cleveland Police, Change Grow Live (CGL), Public Health and Stockton Business Improvement District (BID).
This scheme is being introduced in line with the wider Operation Shield approach to help make Stockton a welcoming place to visit, work and live.
This initiative will also run in tandem with other measures to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder in the town centre, such as the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
Around nine premises, which have signed up within the target area of the Reducing the Strength Scheme, are willing to reduce the strength of their alcohol sold, and the Licensing Team are working with other premises to encourage them to consider joining in the future.
Premises already signed up include a range of small businesses and national retailers, including Addison Newsagents, Pickwicks (formerly D&S News), Iceland, B&M Stores, Heron Foods, Savers, Yarm Lane Convenience Store, Quick News and Fanni Vapes.
The scheme also aims to uphold the Licensing Act 2003 through the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, improving public safety and to protect children and young people from harm through the reduction of access to low cost, high strength, low-cost products.
Reducing the Strength is a Local Government Association (LGA) scheme which looks to find the balance between reducing the harmful health impacts of alcohol misuse on individuals and communities and ensure that alcohol is enjoyed safely and responsibly.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough is one of over 80 Local Authorities which are implementing the scheme.
Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Services, said: “We want to create safer and welcoming public spaces for our residents and visitors to Stockton.
“The Council’s Licensing staff have worked hard to get businesses and premise licence holders on board, and they will continue to try and get others to become involved, while also ensuring they are complying with licence conditions and objectives.
“While we target the reduction of alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour, the scheme will also help those with alcohol dependency by encouraging them to engage with support services thanks to the involvement of our public health colleagues and partners at CGL and other recovery services.
“The implementation of PSPOs and Operation Shield, which is yielding positive results after just six months, shows we are serious, and we hope that Reducing the Strength scheme will see further improvements by tackling one of the complex issues at its.
“Licensing Officers will continue to monitor the scheme through dedicated patrols, reviews, and business engagement and I am confident it will be a success as it has proved in Ipswich, Portsmouth and several London Boroughs where it has become established.”
Inspector Andy Vickers, from Stockton’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “We have been working with our partners to find ways to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town centre, and this is a great scheme that will play a part in helping to reduce that.
“By preventing access to high strength alcohol, we hope to further reduce crime that I know is a huge concern to members of the public, and in turn make the town centre and even safer and enjoyable place to live, work and visit.”
Matt Boxall, Centre Manager for Wellington Square, said: “Retailers across Wellington Square are showing outstanding community engagement by taking part in a local initiative aimed at improving public safety and creating a more welcoming environment for all.
“Managers at store level voluntarily selected the products they wanted to be removed from shop shelves as part of a proactive approach to reduce theft and anti-social behaviour.
“By addressing local concerns head-on, retailers are playing a vital role in creating a safer, more enjoyable shopping experience.
“This initiative highlights the strong community spirit shared among local businesses and their dedication to long-term improvements in the town centre. It’s a positive step forward which benefits everyone.”