Staffordshire’s PCC Voices Support for Minimum Alcohol Pricing

Staffordshire’s newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, has welcomed Government proposals on minimum alcohol pricing.

Mr Ellis said, “I welcome and support the Home Office proposals.  It’s wrong that strong, harmful alcohol can be sold so cheap and in large quantities.  In the hands of some it can fuel anti-social binge drinking in neighbourhoods and town centres – particularly at night.”

The legacy of alcohol harm in parts of Staffordshire is significant and wide reaching.  It affects individuals and families and puts massive demands on Staffordshire’s public services.

Mr Ellis continued, “I support this because it’s not just another tax, it’s targeted at cheap, harmful booze.  It sends out a strong message that there are boundaries to behaviour and it reinforces personal responsibility.

“We do need to get the balance right with the night time economy.  We all want thriving town centres, which are vibrant and benefit everyone – not the few.

“Minimum pricing isn’t a solution in itself, but it is an important part of a bigger picture.  I want to work with partners to develop more detailed, wider plans to tackle the problem.

“I look forward to my experience with front line staff when I go out on patrol on a busy Friday night on 7th December.  This isn’t about stopping people enjoying themselves but there shouldn’t be areas where people think twice about taking family and friends at certain times of the day.”