Licence restrictions considered to tackle crime
Two Surrey are considering tighter licensing restrictions on pubs, clubs and takeaways to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Woking Borough Council (WBC) has launched a consultation on its existing Saturation Zone, also known as a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA), which allows it to refuse new licences in parts of the town centre.
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) is also due to decide next month whether to introduce a Special Stress Area covering parts of Epsom town centre.
Woking and Epsom have been identified by Surrey Police as hotspots for anti-social behaviour and violence, alongside Guildford, Knaphill, Redhill, Staines and Camberley, a council report said.
The consultation for Woking, which originally introduced a CIA in 2007 and expanded it in 2009, will finish on 24 July.
The zone includes Victoria Way, Chertsey Road, Stanley Road, The Broadway and High Street, as well as Goldsworth Road and Church Street West.
It means that applications for new licences, variations to existing ones or new club premises certificates are likely to be refused by the council.
Licensed premises include businesses that sell alcohol, provide hot food and drink between 23:00 and 05:00 BST, or provide music, sport or performances.
