By Dave Lord

AS BINGE drinking reaches epidemic proportions throughout Scotland, police in Perth are urging the courts to impose curfew orders on persistent troublemakers.

Revealing that alcohol has been a factor in some 80% of recent serious assaults in the city, chief superintendent Matt Hamilton said his force would target specific areas on “high risk” nights.

He also warned those intent on trouble that there is nowhere to hide.

Mr Hamilton admitted anti-social behaviour has become more of a problem as the nation’s alcohol intake continues to grow.

“In Perth it was previously just Friday and Saturday nights that caused a problem,” he said.

“In the past few years it has become Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and, more recently still, Thursday night has also become popular.”

Mr Hamilton denied that police resources had become so stretched that policing Perth city centre was becoming an impossible task.

“There have been increased demands on the police,” he confessed.

“Unfortunately this does tend to suck resources from the policing of other areas such as housing schemes and the road network.

“However, it is just another factor which we must consider and there is no question of us not managing to cope.”

Mr Hamilton is aware many people have expressed concern about anti-social behaviour in Perth city centre —particularly after the local licensing board granted permission for yet another pub, Bordeaux House, on Kinnoull Street.

“We are well aware of the concerns of the public,” he commented.

“People living in the city centre all tell you the same thing—on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights their lives are disrupted more than on other nights.

“As far as I am concerned it is all about personal responsibility but we are working with licensees and the licensing board to tackle binge drinking,” Mr Hamilton continued.

“Licensees certainly have a huge role to play, both in terms of making sure the wrong kinds of people do not get in to their premises and also making sure all the customers are in a fit state at all times.”

Those intent on drinking too much and subsequently found behaving in an anti-social manner can expect to feel the full force of law.

“I would want to issue a warning to people who consistently cause trouble when they have taken alcohol,” he said.

“One thing we are doing is asking the courts to impose curfew orders to ensure these individuals will quite simply not be able to leave their homes at night.

“It may seem an extreme measure but we want to make it clear that we take anti-social behaviour extremely seriously.”