A FORMER Metropolitan police officer who wants to become Dorset’s first Police and Crime Commissioner says he plans to end Bournemouth’s binge drinking culture.

Martyn Underhill, who is running as an Independent candidate in the upcoming election, said: “I’m hoping to limit the amount of licensed premises and work with the council to reduce the amount of binge drinking and the Stag and Hen culture in Bournemouth.

“That’s what people want – I have an open survey on my website and everybody is saying that’s the priority.

“It’s one of my priorities.

“It would be working with all the agencies. One of the things I want to do is work with agencies including Bournemouth council to look at the way we licence these.” Read more about Martyn's plan on his blog

But his three opponents in the election said it was an overreaction.

Bournemouth Borough Council said it could not comment on candidate pledges under election rules, but Cllr David Smith, portfolio holder for the night-time economy, said the authority was doing “everything within the law” to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town, including shutting a handful of nuisance premises.

The election is on November 15.

What the other candidates say

Andy Canning, Liberal Democrat candidate, said: “He’s overreacting. The nightclub and hotels sector of Bournemouth is a very important of the tourist economy, it brings in a lot of revenue.

“There’s more than enough legislation out there and controls out there to stop pubs and clubs that are really causing a problem.”

Nick King, Conservative candidate, warned against simply closing premises, saying: “Closing establishments isn’t in the gift of the PCC, nor is it the answer. The PCC can encourage further cooperation between the police and council to change the late night drinking culture causing the problem.”

Labour candidate and former prison governor Rachel Rogers said Weymouth was also a popular destination for stag and hen parties, adding: “I think the role of the PCC is to work effectively with police and community safety organisations to ensure premises are properly licensed, monitored and managed.”

All four candidates will be blogging for the Daily Echo in the run-up to the election. Read the blogs and a profile of each candidate, plus links to their websites and their campaign leaflets at bournemouthecho.co.uk/pcc.