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Crackdown on licensing laws in London
Police have made dozens of arrests and closed pubs and clubs, in a crackdown on people breaking licensing rules.
Police across London have made dozens of arrests and closed pubs and clubs, in a crackdown on people breaking licensing rules.
More than 400 people have now been arrested for breaching licensing rules in London.
Met officers have visited nearly five thousand premises across the weekend.
Commander Mak Chishty who lead the operation, said: "Licensing laws are there for good reason as they help protect us from danger. Breaking them is not acceptable. Operation Condor is about keeping our communities safe from harm. In our shops and supermarkets this means people do not sell knives, harmful substances or alcohol to young people; in our pubs and clubs it means that alcohol is sold and consumed in a responsible way, on our roads it means that vehicles, such as taxis are properly licensed and safe.
"This is why so many of my officers were out yesterday and are busy today stopping cars at transport hotspots to check for correct documentation, visiting newsagents, off-licenses, supermarkets and betting shops to ensure and test licensing laws are being followed correctly. We are also targeting pubs and clubs to make sure they are strictly applying their permits and to ensure any informal sales of goods or drugs on their premises are dealt with appropriately.
"Licensing impacts upon everyday community life; The results of unlicensed activity on our streets can find the form of underage drinkers acting unsociably close to where we live, unlicensed mini-cabs endangering passengers by making uninsured journeys and also shops who potentially encourage the circulation of stolen items by not correctly checking the history of second hand goods offered for sale.
"These are just some small examples of why it is vital our officers continue to work with our partners to enforce licensing laws in all walks of life and in doing so protect people who live, work or travel in London safe from harm."