Weymouth & Portland Borough Council - Late Night Levy and Early Morning Restriction Order update

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council has had a potential Late Night Levy and Early Morning Restriction Order to tackle anti-social behaviour (particularly within Weymouth) on the Agenda for some time.

Last year when the options were first discussed, it was agreed that they should look at how the schemes impacted elsewhere and the Council voted to have a review after one year. However, following a decline in violence and a local voluntary agreement regarding times for the cessation of retail sale of alcohol, Councillors forming the Licensing Committee will today be advised that there is no evidence to support the implementation of the above mentioned powers this year.

The voluntary agreement is to reduce hours from 07.00 to 05.00. Further, the Public Health Department endorsed it, having confirmed that there is a small but steady decrease in assaults within Weymouth since 2012. The Chairman of Weymouth Pub Watch, Keith Treggiden is reported to have said "We stand by what the Police are saying on this and believe it is much better to have a voluntary scheme than to have powers imposed upon us".

However, although the Police have indicated that an EMRO is no longer the way forward, they have requested that there be a review of the Cumulative Impact Policy covering Weymouth Town Centre.