What will the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill do?
The bill includes the following provisions: • making the police service more accountable to local people by replacing police authorities with directly elected police and crime commissioners to be introduced from May 2012 • overhauling the Licensing Act to give more powers to local authorities and police to tackle any premises that are causing problems, doubling the maximum fine for persistent underage sales and permitting local authorities to charge more for late-night licences to contribute towards the cost of policing the late-night economy • introducing a system of temporary bans for new psychoactive substances, so-called ‘legal highs’, whilst the health issues are considered by independent experts, to ensure our legislative process can respond quickly to emerging harmful substances • restoring the right to non-violent protest around Parliament whilst ensuring that Parliament Square remains accessible to all by repealing sections 132-138 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act
