AFTER the success of Liberation Day, consideration will now be given to where alcohol-free zones might be used in future. But both the police and Home Department emphasise that they will not be heavy-handed.
There were only six arrests associated with the celebrations this year - in 2006 there were 25.
Police chief George Le Page said the alcohol ban ordinance was there to be used wisely and appropriately.
‘Should the need be identified again in the future due to the nature of an event planned to be held in the island, we would give consideration to seeking a ban,’ said Mr Le Page.
‘But we would look at the history of the event - what’s proposed with the event and consider all things. We’re not there to be killjoys, we want people to enjoy themselves. But we have to consider the majority which sometimes means the minority could feel they are imposed on.’
He added that the ban had contributed to the success of Liberation Day. Police were delighted with how it had gone, he said.
‘There were other things that were noticeable: the absence of litter around the area was also very pleasing and down to the high degree of responsibility of the people attending.’
He added that police had not taken a different approach by issuing warnings instead of arresting people.
‘We’re there to enforce the law, seeking to identify trouble before it breaks out and defuse situations. We used the same standard as last year.’
He added that 2006 had been considerably different in terms of atmosphere.
‘The mood of the crowd was more aggressive last year. There were far more people under the influence of alcohol much earlier in the day and confrontations between large groups.’
There could have been far more arrests last year than the 25 made, he said.
‘This year was the complete opposite. It was a much better atmosphere, a more family atmosphere.’
Home minister Geoff Mahy was impressed that the overwhelming majority of people he saw on Wednesday thought it was a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
The department’s board would be looking at the alcohol ban for possible future uses, he said.
‘Clearly the Home Department will liaise with the organisers of any events and we will have to listen and discuss, but some already choose to be alcohol-free, like the Muratti, which had worked very well,’ said Deputy Mahy.
‘This is a useful law that will be used in a measured way.’
Town licensees were fully supportive of the ban, but hit out at the lack of consultation beforehand.
‘Everyone cooperated very well with the ban,’ said White Hart licensee Simon Allum.
He believed the weather had made things easier, too.
‘We had security on all day and I think that helped. I can’t praise them highly enough, really, with the amount of preparation time I think they’ve done excellently. The States and police should praise them very highly.’
He did not think bar takings were down.
Article posted on 11th May, 2007 - 12.00am
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