BAD licensees should be named and shamed. And those who behave irresponsibly could have their liquor licences suspended unless they clean up their act.

The authorities and the Guernsey Licensed Victuallers’ Association are increasingly concerned about disorder and antisocial behaviour.

Problems are concentrated mainly on Fridays and Saturdays, but, increasingly, on Sundays.

‘If the police did not keep a very tight hand, we could degenerate into the sort of difficult area that Jersey has got,’ said new Home Minister Mike Torode.

‘There is a broad consensus between the GLVA executive committee and myself that there are problems with some of the licensees who are not behaving responsibly, but that is a matter that can be dealt with under the new sections of the Liquor Licensing Law.’

A recent meeting between the GLVA and police consultative group focused on the problems of alcohol abuse and has led to an increased police presence on licensed premises.

Many licensees back this stance. They see it as a deterrent and are determined to work with police rather than against them.

Licensees would generally support a law to suspend those who abuse liquor licences and they believe such a move has been agreed in principle.

But the GLVA is concerned about antisocial behaviour and blame being attributed to alcohol and levelled generally at publicans.

Blame has also been attributed to extended opening, especially on Sundays, and licensees are concerned about possible moves to revert to pre-liberalisation hours.

But many would resist such attempts – they do not believe the extra opening time has been detrimental, especially at weekends, or that extra trouble has resulted.

‘Discipline has got a lot to do with it,’ said GLVA president Cindy de Jersey.

‘I don’t think you can go back – you can only look forward.’

Deputy Torode said this would be something for the new Home Department to discuss – it meets in 10 days for the first time.

Any new liquor licence proposals are in the hands of the Law Officers, but Deputy Torode believes it will be very helpful to be able to temporarily suspend licences.

Ship & Crown licensee Mark Pontin said he understood the rest of the revised liquor licensing laws would be implemented this year – more-relaxed Sunday opening and extended hours, at licensees’ discretion, are already in place.

‘Licensees will be held more accountable to the licence and premises. If there is any time a licensee should be a member of the GLVA, it should be now. There are a lot of new licensees on the island, especially younger ones, and we don’t want to see any of them prosecuted for a one-off incident,’ he said.

‘I think we should name and shame licensees who we believe are not doing a good job – licensees and the police know who the bad apples are.

‘Licensees have to take their responsibility for any drunken or disorderly behaviour and under-age drinkers.