Police are trying to ban convenience stores in Leicester from selling super-strength lager and cider in a bid to curb antisocial behaviour by street drinkers.

Eight stores in an existing ‘alcohol saturation zone’ in the city centre are being targeted. If successful, the legally binding amendments could set a precedent for high streets across the UK.

A Tesco and a Sainsbury’s in the zone have voluntarily agreed to the conditions, which prohibit the sale of beer, lager and cider with an abv over 5.5%. However, the other retailers have not yet signed up and independent c-stores and off-licences claimed the restrictions would hit them hard.

“There are troublemakers,” admitted Dilawer Singh, who runs an off-licence in the zone. “But stopping us selling strong lager won’t make a difference. Ten yards away someone else can sell it. We have already lost trade to Tesco. I don’t know what we are going to do now.”

Inspector Chris Cockerill, commander of Leicester city centre police, said the changes were necessary.

“People are congregating in this area due to the ready accessibility of cheap high-strength alcohol. We have to look at removing the fuel,” he said. “These proposals are a direct result of public concerns. If we are successful and it sets a precedent, we will share what we have learnt with other local authorities.”

The police approach was proportional, he insisted. “I understand there is a commercial aspect to this and I don’t want anybody to suffer. But it has to be balanced against the fears and needs of the community. I invited all eight licensed premises to discuss it in May but only two turned up. I also asked them to make a voluntary amendment. We offered to pay legal fees and do the paperwork. None took it up.”

The council will start to assess the proposals on 1 August. “We will hear any representations by the public, police and the traders,” said a spokeswoman. “Then we will make the ­decision on additional ­requirements to licences.”

Topics