LIBERATION Day organisers are determined to achieve a shift away from a day of drinking as the annual celebration looks set to continue indefinitely. Mike O’Hara, chairman of the States organising committee, said that targeting alcohol abuse was one of the highest priorities for next year.

A comprehensive strategy ranging from policing initiatives to improving public cooperation will be announced by mid-July.

Deputy O’Hara was responding to an Island Opinion survey on how celebrations could be better organised. More than two-thirds of respondents were put off by alcohol-related incidents.

Deputy O’Hara concurred with most of its findings, including unanimous support for celebrations to continue and for them to stay focused in Town. But he was disappointed that more than two-thirds thought it could be better organised.

‘The consensus that it could be better organised contradicts all the feedback that we have received,’ he said.

‘The fact is 15,000 people went to Town and enjoyed themselves, so if some people think it could be better organised we would like to know how.’

Three strategies to target binge drinking are currently under consideration by police in consultation with licensees:

n a complete ban on drinking in public all day

n limiting pub opening from 12-2.30pm and 6.30pm onwards

n Keeping pubs closed until after 5pm.

The eventual solution could incorporate a combination of ideas.

Deputy O’Hara said the last scenario was applied in 2005 to make way for the cavalcade and there were only four arrests compared with 25 this year. He saw the benefits of staggered opening times to give people time to sober up.

‘We have had four meetings already with various agencies and have another two to go. We are yet to meet the licensees,’ he said.

‘But some have already said that they would welcome a break in the middle of the afternoon.’

He said that police were pursuing a blanket ban on drinking in public.

‘It would not apply to genuine alfresco establishments and such applications would have to be considered very carefully.’

Deputy O’Hara appreciated that such a ban might be hard to enforce.

‘I think there will need to be a very strong deterrent. I would welcome fines of at least £200.’

He wanted the public to have its say on the issue.

‘We want to create a Liberation Day which is fun for everyone and need to find the balance between fun and stupidity,’ he said.

‘Everyone on the island needs to help shift the mentality away from it as a day to go out drinking. As a government we need to expedite that change but can only do so with the help of law enforcement and public cooperation.’