British drinking laws linked to crime rate

LONDON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Police in Britain blame an increase in the country's crime rate on the government's new lax standards for alcohol sales and intake.

Some police officials have said by allowing British bars and nightclubs to remain open 24 hours a day, the number of alcohol-related crimes has risen significantly, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

"Front-line police officers are continually being called on to deal with alcohol-fueled confrontational situations," Police Federation of England and Wales Chairman Jan Berry said.

"We warned that changing licensing hours without changing the drinking culture would cause a drain on our limited resources."

Berry added the longer drinking hours have strained available police resources, meaning officers are being taken off their day assignments to keep the peace at night.

"The licensing laws mean that pubs and clubs close at different times. It is taking police off their beat during the day," Berry said.

The Telegraph reported a major federal review of the legislative change's impact is due out on Tuesday.