Binge Drinking and Twickenham

12.54.20pm GMT Mon 15th Mar 2004

With the publication this morning (Monday) of the Home Office reports on drinking, Twickenham became the centre of attention as the Evening Standard, then Sky News, used it as an example of the way formerly quiet suburban centres have become a magnet for new, high capacity pubs and anti social drinking.

Vincent Cable, MP, who appeared in the Sky News report being interviewed late on Saturday night in Twickenham town centre said: "in the middle of the interview a group of girls who can't have been more than 16 staggered up, very much the worse for drink, screaming and out of control, heading for further drinks up the road. This in a microcosm was what the worries about binge drinking are all about".

"It isn't I think excessively puritanical to expect the drinks industry nationally and licensees locally to behave in a more socially responsible manner. After criticising the growth of anti social drinking in Twickenham last year I have seen evidence of tougher admission policies by bouncers, better use of 2-way radios and more police patrols. But there is simply too much licensed capacity in Twickenham and the new licensing authority and the council have to get to grips with this issue. I also support David Blunkett's suggestion that licensed premises should make a financial contribution to extra police patrols in town centres based on the drinking capacity".