POLICE are calling for “strict controls” to remain in place in Birkenhead town centre to curb the rise of alcohol related crime in the area. The controls called a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) have been in place since 2017.

The CIA looks at the number of businesses selling alcohol within the town centre with often stricter conditions placed on businesses in the centre of Birkenhead to make sure they are dealing with crime and antisocial behaviour properly.

The policy was brought in “due to the level of crime and disorder, public nuisance, littering, street drinking, under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour believed to be resulting in part from the number of off-licence premises located in the area.”

The policy was renewed in 2019 and most recently in 2022. In 2024, the council is reviewing its licensing policy and councillors will decide again whether to keep the policy going forward at a licensing act committee meeting on November 14.

Merseyside Police is asking for the restrictions to remain in place as they are seeing an increase in antisocial behaviour including an increased number of incidents relating to theft of alcohol from shops.

They argue the number of licensed premises in Birkenhead “supports a high level of street drinking in the area and that street drinking continues to be a major policing issue.”

According to Merseyside Police, there were 371 incidents of alcohol related domestic violence in Birkenhead and Tranmere in 12 months and 132 incidents of non-domestic alcohol related violence in six months. The police said it is “vitally important to continue with strict controls” to help support the future development of Birkenhead.

Representations made by police the last time the CIA was considered detailed McDonald’s staff being harassed, assaults on emergency workers, and police officers being called homophobic slurs. If the council decides to keep the controls in place, it will need to explain why the policy is still needed.