Further scrutiny on Weymouth’s ‘pre-drinking’ culture is needed, according to councillors. 

More work needs to be done to change the public’s behaviour on alcohol and tackling the issue of binge drinking at home could be key, say Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s scrutiny and performance committee.

Concerns were raised that Weymouth’s high levels of alcohol related crime could be caused by people drinking to excess before they’ve even reached town. 

One councillor mentioned that this could be down to alcohol being cheaper from a supermarket than it is in pubs and clubs.

Cllr Kevin Brookes said: “For 12 years I drove a bus around this town and for eight of those years I was a late bus driver.

“When I first started, by the time I got to Southwell the bus would be empty. Towards the end of the last few years I would be bringing back into town around 80 odd people under the age of 30 who were absolutely hammered.

“If we wanted to start to tackle unsociable behaviour, I think we need to look at what the licensed premises in town are doing.”

Cllr Tia Roos said: “We’re getting to dangerous levels now where we don’t have enough (police and services) on the streets, we don’t have enough to deal with the problems.”

“I used to walk myself home at 17 to 21 years old every single night and not feel worried about my safety but now I feel differently. Something has changed.

“Why are we feeling less safe in the streets than we did five years ago?”
The scrutiny committee meeting follows the recent introduction of a new special policy by the council’s licensing committee.

It aims to curb the amount of trouble and hospital admissions linked to drinking, by preventing the opening of clubs and pubs that aim to sell alcohol only, for long hours during the night. It was revealed that crime has shifted from happening inside pubs and clubs, to the streets outside. 

The council’s head of community protection said that ‘Weymouth has a disproportionately higher level of alcohol related crimes than other places in rural Dorset’. 

Cllr Pamela Nixon, who is part of both the scrutiny and licensing committee, said she feels that they are making ‘big steps forward’ with the introduction of the new special policy.

She added that although there are problems that need to be tackled, a further meeting is required at a later date once councillors have had a chance to see whether the policy has been successful.