12:28pm Saturday 25th August 2007
BOOZE-fuelled crime has soared across the county and this can't continue', according to a licensing officer.
At Friday's licensing sub-committee, Pembrokeshire County Council's licensing officer, Tony Davies, presented worrying statistics showing alcohol-related offences have risen from 190 to 291 in Milford in the past year, an increase of 53%.
The figure for Pembroke Dock shot up by 232%, from 89 to 206.
Haverfordwest had a highest rate of alcohol-related crime with 585 last year compared with 310 in the previous 12 months.
Similar statistics were presented for Tenby and Fishguard.
The crimes across the county only related to those reported by the public and did not include arrests for drunkenness and public order offences.
Mr Davies said: "I am asking this committee to help combat these problems. Police officers are out dealing with drunks, getting spat at and vomited on. This can't go on."
He asked members: "When are we going to make a stand? What does this committee intend to do about it?"
He added he felt the rise was linked to licensed premises being granted extended opening hours.
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