Night time tax on Windsor's bars and clubs mooted
PROPOSALS to levy a night-time tax forcing the town's bars and clubs to help pay for policing and clean-up costs have been tabled again in the wake of a fatal stabbing last weekend.
The Royal Borough's top cop, superintendent Simon Bowden, put forward the suggestion as members of the council's crime and disorder panel discussed tackling night-time crime on Monday, following the death of Seán Noctor in the early hours of Sunday morning last week.
Supt Bowden said: "The question to be asked is whether to revisit the night-time levy.
"It can have a direct impact on reducing crime.
"We have extra staff come in from Slough and Bracknell at the moment to help with night-time policing."
He also revealed the number of people caught in possession of a dangerous weapon in the Royal Borough rose from eight between April 1 and June 30, 2012, to 11 in the same period this year.
Cllr Hari Dev Sharma described the figures as 'worrying'.
Supt Bowden added: "Short of having metal detectors at the entrance to Windsor, it is difficult to stop. With alcohol and young men with weapons, too quickly can a slight argument be turned into a tragic event such as at the weekend.
"Stop and searches are important. We also have to ensure security staff have proper training in recognising weapons."
The panel resolved to have the late-night levy proposals on the agenda for their next meeting in September.
Cllr John Story, who raised the topic, said: "There is the matter of the nature of the Windsor night-time economy changing and if we should be doing more to protect people. I would like to keep up to date on this [the late night levy]. Residents in Windsor will be very concerned about this."
Councillors raised fears that they might have to impose the levy across the whole of Windsor but Supt Bowden reassured them it could be limited to a specific area.
The scheme, which has been introduced elsewhere in the Thames Valley Police area, was first mooted in the borough three years ago.
It would mean bars and clubs open past a certain hour would have to contribute to the cost of policing the area.
- See more at: www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/windsor/articles/2013/08/06/91851-night-time-tax-on-windsors-bars-and-clubs-mooted/
The Royal Borough's top cop, superintendent Simon Bowden, put forward the suggestion as members of the council's crime and disorder panel discussed tackling night-time crime on Monday, following the death of Seán Noctor in the early hours of Sunday morning last week.
Supt Bowden said: "The question to be asked is whether to revisit the night-time levy.
"It can have a direct impact on reducing crime.
"We have extra staff come in from Slough and Bracknell at the moment to help with night-time policing."
He also revealed the number of people caught in possession of a dangerous weapon in the Royal Borough rose from eight between April 1 and June 30, 2012, to 11 in the same period this year.
Cllr Hari Dev Sharma described the figures as 'worrying'.
Supt Bowden added: "Short of having metal detectors at the entrance to Windsor, it is difficult to stop. With alcohol and young men with weapons, too quickly can a slight argument be turned into a tragic event such as at the weekend.
"Stop and searches are important. We also have to ensure security staff have proper training in recognising weapons."
The panel resolved to have the late-night levy proposals on the agenda for their next meeting in September.
Cllr John Story, who raised the topic, said: "There is the matter of the nature of the Windsor night-time economy changing and if we should be doing more to protect people. I would like to keep up to date on this [the late night levy]. Residents in Windsor will be very concerned about this."
Councillors raised fears that they might have to impose the levy across the whole of Windsor but Supt Bowden reassured them it could be limited to a specific area.
The scheme, which has been introduced elsewhere in the Thames Valley Police area, was first mooted in the borough three years ago.
It would mean bars and clubs open past a certain hour would have to contribute to the cost of policing the area.
- See more at: www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/windsor/articles/2013/08/06/91851-night-time-tax-on-windsors-bars-and-clubs-mooted/
The Royal Borough's top cop, superintendent Simon Bowden, put forward the suggestion as members of the council's crime and disorder panel discussed tackling night-time crime on Monday, following the death of Seán Noctor in the early hours of Sunday morning last week.
Supt Bowden said: "The question to be asked is whether to revisit the night-time levy.
"It can have a direct impact on reducing crime.
"We have extra staff come in from Slough and Bracknell at the moment to help with night-time policing."
He also revealed the number of people caught in possession of a dangerous weapon in the Royal Borough rose from eight between April 1 and June 30, 2012, to 11 in the same period this year.
Cllr Hari Dev Sharma described the figures as 'worrying'.
Supt Bowden added: "Short of having metal detectors at the entrance to Windsor, it is difficult to stop. With alcohol and young men with weapons, too quickly can a slight argument be turned into a tragic event such as at the weekend.
"Stop and searches are important. We also have to ensure security staff have proper training in recognising weapons."
The panel resolved to have the late-night levy proposals on the agenda for their next meeting in September.
Cllr John Story, who raised the topic, said: "There is the matter of the nature of the Windsor night-time economy changing and if we should be doing more to protect people. I would like to keep up to date on this [the late night levy]. Residents in Windsor will be very concerned about this."
Councillors raised fears that they might have to impose the levy across the whole of Windsor but Supt Bowden reassured them it could be limited to a specific area.
The scheme, which has been introduced elsewhere in the Thames Valley Police area, was first mooted in the borough three years ago.
It would mean bars and clubs open past a certain hour would have to contribute to the cost of policing the area.
Source:
PROPOSALS to levy a night-time tax forcing the town's bars and clubs to help pay for policing and clean-up costs have been tabled again in the wake of a fatal stabbing last weekend. - See more at: www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/windsor/articles/2013/08/06/91851-night-time-tax-on-windsors-bars-and-clubs-mooted/