Levying tax on Windsor nightspots to help pay for policing could be 'revisited'

LPA Commander Superintendent Simon Bowden put it forward at the Royal Borough's crime and disorder overview and scrutiny panel on Monday.

The idea was first discussed by the council more than three years ago before being dropped.

Supt Bowden said Windsor along with Reading, Oxford and Milton Keynes are the four busiest in the Thames Valley in relation to late-night policing of drinkers.

He raised the levy tax idea after Cllr John Story (Con, Sunninghill and South Ascot) questioned if more should be done to tackle binge drinking and issues associated with it.

If introduced, Windsor's nightclubs, bars and pubs opening late would pay a tax for extra policing and clearing up drinkers' mess.

Supt Bowden said: "The night-time levy could be revisited.

"The trend to drinking to excess is not abating."

The panel agreed to have an agenda item on the night-time economy at the next meeting in September.