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Researchers have identified a correlation between extended pub opening hours in Aberdeen and an increase in crime rates as well as ambulance call-outs related to alcohol consumption. Over the period from March 2017 to October 2020, 38 bars in Aberdeen were permitted to serve alcohol until 03:00, a change that corresponded with an 11.4% rise in weekend night ambulance call-outs. Simultaneously, reported crimes during this timeframe increased by 8.5%, according to findings from a team at the University of Glasgow.
These conclusions come amid recent decisions to allow longer pub opening times in Aberdeen and other Scottish cities during the upcoming World Cup in June. The University of Glasgow researchers emphasized that their study highlights a clear link between later closing hours and increased negative outcomes. While Aberdeen showed significant impacts on both emergency medical responses and crime figures, the situation in Glasgow differed. There, 10 nightclubs received a one-hour extension to 04:00 in 2019, but the study observed “no material impacts” in that city, though a broader examination pointed to pressure on frontline services.
The differing results between the two cities may be attributed to several factors including the scale of venues involved, the length of license extensions, and the types of bars and clubs affected. In Glasgow, only nightclubs that implemented specific safety measures qualified for the extended hours, whereas in Aberdeen a larger group of pubs experienced delays in closing times by up to three hours. This shift also pushed peak alcohol-related ambulance call-outs later, from between midnight and 1am to between 1am and 2am, affecting predominantly men and individuals under 45 years old, a group previously identified as more prone to risky drinking behavior.
Dr Md Nurnabi Sheikh from the University of Glasgow’s School of Health and Wellbeing commented on the findings, stating, “Our findings in Aberdeen demonstrate a clear link between additional opening hours and increased negative outcomes.” The study emphasizes the importance of considering not only how many venues receive extended hours but also the types of establishments involved. This research was part of a larger collaboration led by the University of Stirling, involving multiple universities and health organizations, with Professor Niamh Fitzgerald underscoring the need for local authorities to have stronger control over late-night licensing to reduce health harms and crime. Meanwhile, Aberdeen City Council assured that robust measures are in place to maintain safety during periods of increased activity, coordinating with Police Scotland and business partners to manage extended opening events responsibly
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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