Differences in licensee, police and public opinions regarding interventions to reduce alcohol‐related harm associated with licensed premises

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the level of support by licensees, police and the general public for interventions to reduce alcohol‐related harm associated with licensed premises and to identify differences between the three groups.

Methods

Participants were 108 licensees of premises licensed to sell alcohol; 132 police officers; 200 members of the public. Questionnaires were administered either through work settings or by mail. Respondents’ levels of agreement with interventions to reduce alcohol‐related harm associated with licensed premises: responsible service of alcohol; security and crowd control; policing; patron transport; and linking of alcohol‐related harm to licensed premises and communication.

Results

Police and members of the public were significantly more likely than licensees to agree with strategies under licensee control, such as subsidising patron transport and training staff to deal with intoxicated patrons. Police were more likely than licensees and members of the public to agree with strategies requiring community action and changes to liquor licensing laws. Licensees had significantly lower levels of agreement than the other groups about licensees’ responsibility to reduce alcohol‐related harm as a consequence of drinking at their premises.

Conclusions

While there was good agreement between police officers and members of the public about strategies for reducing alcohol‐related harm at licensed premises, licensees held divergent views about strategies within their control. Licensees were less likely than police and members of the public to agree they were responsible for reducing alcohol‐related harm resulting from drinking at their premises.