APPENDIX C

Police Station

John Street

Brighton

BN2 0LA

REDACTED

19^th March 2021

The Licensing Technical Support Officers
Environmental Health, Brighton & Hove City Council
Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square
Brighton, East Sussex
BN1 1JP

EG CON ENDS 26.03.21 VALID PCD & PCH (A)

Dear REDACTED

RE: APPLICATION FOR A NEW PREMISES LICENCE FOR WEEZY FULFILMENT CENTRE, UNIT 1B, NEWTON ROAD, HOVE, BN3 7BA UNDER THEW LICENSING ACT 2003.

I write on behalf of the Chief Officer of Police for Sussex to raise a representation against the grant of the above application on the grounds that it will undermine the Licensing Objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm.

This is a proposed new premises licence application requesting to deliver alcohol to places of business and residential addresses.

In accordance with the Brighton and Hove Statement of Licensing policy this premises is in the others areas.

Supply of Alcohol (Of the Premises)

Every Day:                           07:00 – 23:00

The licensing decision matrix on page 16/17 of the Council Statement of Licensing Policy (SoLP) states that an off licence is allowed until 23:00.  Sussex Police have pre consulted with the applicant and note that the times have been amended to reflect a 23:00 terminal hour.

However, Sussex Police have concerns that the alcohol will not be delivered to areas solely within the area classed as “others” within the Brighton and Hove statement of licensing policy and in fact alcohol will be delivered to local areas in the Special Stress Area (SSA) or as far as the Cumulative Impact Area (CIZ) which currently suffer from high levels of crime and disorder.

The crime data shows high levels of crime and disorder in the city centre, varying from ASB to serious public order and violent crimes.  Please find attached the crime statistic heat maps and charts.  The area marked in red highlights the high numbers of crime committed in the Brighton and Hove City during 2020, where it must be noted that this period was during Covid19 and experienced a number of Government restrictions and 2 lockdown periods.

A large percentage of these crimes were also affected by alcohol (either victim, offender or both).

Sussex Police also have concerns over the operation and the high possibility of proxy sales.  This style of operation would allow for under age persons to use a credit card or debit card to purchase alcohol for delivery, or allow a person who is alcohol dependent to purchase alcohol.

Sussex Police have concerns over delivery drivers having the confidence to refuse a delivery on the doorstep.

Lastly, Sussex Police have concerns over the increased number of 2 wheeled delivery vehicles on the road, including electric scooters.  Sussex Police have a current operation called Op Mainstay, which focusses on reducing the numbers of road collisions resulting in killed or seriously injured persons who are on powered two wheeled vehicles. Our concerns are that this business operation will add more vehicles onto the roads and possibly increase the number of people killed or seriously injured, as well as vehicle document related offences (Insurance, MOT, Driving Licence…). 

Both the applicant and Poppleston Allen have pre consulted with Sussex Police, they have taken our considerations on board, and included an alcohol policy with the application and conditions have been offered.

However, Sussex Police concerns over the crime and disorder in the city and the areas to where alcohol would be delivered too plus the increased concern of protecting children from harm.

Sussex Police would ask the licensing panel to consider our position and scrutinise and review this application.

Yours sincerely,

REDACTED