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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Officer advises on drinking hours | Officer advises on drinking hours |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A senior Belfast police officer has advised against drinking hours in Northern Ireland being extended. | A senior Belfast police officer has advised against drinking hours in Northern Ireland being extended. |
| Supt Ken Eccles was speaking after one of the busiest weekends in the city centre when 15 people were arrested. | Supt Ken Eccles was speaking after one of the busiest weekends in the city centre when 15 people were arrested. |
| Six were later charged with disorderly behaviour and assaulting the police. He said longer drinking hours would mean problems for police and residents. | Six were later charged with disorderly behaviour and assaulting the police. He said longer drinking hours would mean problems for police and residents. |
| Plans to reform NI's licensing laws to allow pubs to open for an extra hour will be in place by Christmas 2007. | Plans to reform NI's licensing laws to allow pubs to open for an extra hour will be in place by Christmas 2007. |
| Supt Eccles said that the current cut off time of 0100 GMT for serving alcohol was late enough. | Supt Eccles said that the current cut off time of 0100 GMT for serving alcohol was late enough. |
| "If they were to serve any length of time beyond that it would allow for more drinking and more disorder potentially," he said. | "If they were to serve any length of time beyond that it would allow for more drinking and more disorder potentially," he said. |
| 'Night-time economy' | |
| However, the government said in a statement that the new licensing measures were "the result of careful consideration of the changes in people's social habits and the opportunities available for developing the night-time economy". | |
| A spokesman said the PSNI had "fully supported" the changes and had given assurances officers would be "able to deal effectively" with any troublemakers. | |
| The new laws will enable police to close rowdy pubs for serious disorder. | |
| Persistent offenders could get penalty points and publicans could eventually get their licence revoked. | Persistent offenders could get penalty points and publicans could eventually get their licence revoked. |
| Children would also be allowed to stay an hour later, until 2200 GMT, provided they are accompanied by adults. | Children would also be allowed to stay an hour later, until 2200 GMT, provided they are accompanied by adults. |
| Bars would have to apply for an extension to open until 0200 GMT. | Bars would have to apply for an extension to open until 0200 GMT. |
| There are no plans for 24-hour opening, as is allowed in England, Wales and Scotland. | There are no plans for 24-hour opening, as is allowed in England, Wales and Scotland. |