Intelligence-Led regulation of licensed premises.

In this chapter we examine the potential for levels of alcohol-related crime to be minimised through improved and better integrated law enforcement and liquor licensing information systems. In the first section of this chapter, we provide a brief overview of research identifying licensed premises as an important risk setting for alcohol-related crime, as well as evidence showing that some premises are at much greater risk of alcohol-related problems than others. Second, we review evidence concerning the role of enforcement in improving compliance with those aspects of the liquor laws most likely to impact on problems arising from intoxication among patrons. We also consider the limitations of server training programmes in isolation from enforcement-driven activity. Finally, we examine the extent to which current information systems in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, allow for the efficient identification of problematic licensed premises which are repeatedly in breach of the liquor laws. We describe a recent investigation in which liquor licensing enforcement data, from a number of sources including court proceedings and infringement/penalty notices, were combined. As well as identifying the strengths and limitations of each of these data sources, we provide a critical discussion of the potentials and challenges of integrating these to enable better focusing of harm minimisation initiatives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved) (from the chapter)