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Sgt Andrew Sibley |
Police plea fails to stop booze flowing
Go-ahead for store off-licence in crime hotspot
A POLICE sergeant’s urgent plea to prevent another supermarket off-licence opening in a high-crime area of Archway was rejected on Wednesday.
Sergeant Andrew Sibley called on a Town Hall licensing committee to refuse an alcohol licence for the store in Junction Road, close to Archway Tube station, on the grounds it would cause more drink-related trouble.
The committee heard from police that Archway has a history of being targeted by street drinkers and aggressive beggars, particularly around the station. There are now more than 35 licensed premises within less than half-a-square-mile of the latest applicant, Supersave Food and Wine at 8-10 Junction Road.
Sgt Sibley, in charge of Junction Ward Safer Neighbourhoods police team, said that the applicant’s premises were in the middle of a busy transport hub. In the past two months, he said, there had been more than 30 calls to police about alcohol-related assaults and incidents at the location.
He added: “Having spoken to residents, it is clear the true figure is considerably higher, as many incidents have not been reported.
“Late at night and into the early hours many of the people congregating here are intoxicated and the location is a recognised hotspot for alcohol-related disorder.”
One resident, who did not wish to be named and who suffers from MS, described how she was mugged and badly injured early this year outside her home nearby.
Former Islington Mayor and Lib Dem councillor Stefan Kasprzyk, Labour councillor Barry Edwards and chairwoman of Junction Ward Safer Neighbourhoods Panel, Jan Tucker, spoke against allowing the store to sell alcohol.
Cllr Kasprzyk said the area had “gone beyond” being saturated with licensed premises. “We have to say enough is enough,” he added. “Many residents don’t feel safe day or night walking in the area.”
Ms Tucker, a member of the Better Archway Forum, said: “There is drunkenness and violence and damage to property in the early hours when people are travelling home after a night out.”
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Chris Bamford QC said his client could not be blamed for current problems in the area.
Applicant Mohammed Balal said: “We are highly responsible and will provide a security guard and CCTV cameras. Staff have been trained not to sell alcohol to the under-age or those who appear worse for drink.”
The committee, chaired by Lib Dem councillor George Allan, felt that, while they might sympathise with residents, there were no legal grounds for refusing the licence.
The store was permitted to sell alcohol between 7am and 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 7am to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Campaign calls time on drink
A MAJOR campaign against the rise in the number of shops, stores and clubs selling cheap alcohol is being launched in Islington in the autumn.
Councillors from all parties are united behind a plan to oppose the government’s 2005 Licensing Act, which has allowed clubs and booze-selling stores to proliferate.
New proposals which will be examined include following neighbouring Camden’s example by banning drinking in the street. Town Hall officials will look at Westminster Council’s “saturation” zone policy, where new licensed outlets are barred in problem areas.
Labour councillor Barry Edwards said the only way to fight the act was to provide evidence of the damage it has caused.
He added: “We will produce figures from hospitals and police of alcohol-related crimes in the borough.”
Figures are expected to show that the numbers of off-licences and clubs have doubled or even quadrupled since the act.
“Each ward councillor has tried to fight this battle locally,” Cllr Edwards said. “Now is time for united action.”
Clerkenwell Lib Dem councillor George Allan, chairman of the south area committee, has been battling the effects of having 135 licensed premises in his ward. “We have launched a petition which will be presented to the council in the autumn calling on Clerkenwell to be declared ‘saturated’,” he said.
“With all the evidence, we hope that the council will agree to this policy.” |
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