CONCERNS about the impact of temporary alcohol licences for one-off events on policing are to be debated at a public meeting on Thursday, June 12.
Sussex Police Authority - the body that holds the police's purse strings - is expected to agree to lobby the government to make improvements to the system by which small scale events for less than 500 people gain temporary licences.
In a joint r
eport Chief Constable Martin Richards and authority Chief Executive John Godfrey said the events that don't need permission under the Licensing Act 2003 can cause policing problems and considerable use of resources.
If police object to the gathering the licence is not granted but they are only given 48 hours to comment on the plans which they say often falls over the weekend when licensing officers may be involved on operations and unable to assess the impact of each individual application.
The officers are recommending that the authority press the government to make improvements to the system to allow more time for the police to comment.
Other items up for discussion include how the force intends to enhance its protective services and financial matters.
The meeting will be held at Lewes County Hall at 2pm.
To find out more visit www.sussexpoliceauthority.gov.uk/meetings/0608/index.asp.
