Stag parties to pay 'damage' bond

The deposit would be held to cover the cost of any clean-up operation or pay other bills such as ambulance fees if anyone is hurt in a brawl.

It would be collected by the hotels they stay in and only returned at the end of a visit after police confirm the party is not leaving a bill behind.

Some hoteliers in Newcastle have started taking bonds from stag parties to protect their properties although it has not yet been extended to cover damage in other parts of the city.

The idea is now being considered for Brighton and Hove as part of a wider strategy to tackle drunken disorder in the city and protect the tourism industry.

Tony Mernagh, executive director of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: "I can see this bond happening in Brighton in some form.

"There are huge concerns that the relaxing of laws has been under-estimated.

"The business community is getting nervous and so are the police.

"It's got to the point where you can't expect the police to solve this problem - it's too big and it's getting bigger."

Simon Fanshawe, journalist and chairman of the partnership, said: "It's not just their party. What we want to say is that you can't just turn up and trash the place."

Mr Fanshawe said the residents of Brighton and Hove should not foot the bill for someone else's night out.

"None of us want to stamp on visitors' pleasure.

"We want people to come here on stag and hen nights who don't want to lose their bond.

"I do accept there's an enforcement problem but it was a very interesting idea. The symbolism of it is important.

"It would only be used if there was an incident in which damage was caused.

"It would cover the hidden cost of cleaning the city. There's the cost of clearing the litter, the cost of policing.

"Even if the parties are law abiding there are hidden costs. It would really be a way of warning people that if they cause trouble, they will probably lose their money.

"If Home Secretary David Blunkett was willing to introduce some legislation about people having to put down a bond it would be a great help.

"It could be inevitable that it is introduced if the licensing laws are relaxed. I think we have to have a few sticks as well as carrots in the tourism strategy."

Roger Rolfe is a member of the city's Kingscliffe Society and a representative on the Civic Trust group working with the Institute of Alcohol Studies on UK licensing hours.

He said: "It's a good idea because they would have to stay a little bit sane. It would put an onus on someone to behave themselves.

"I don't know how it would be able to work without legislation in place but it is something which should be in place before the licensing laws are relaxed."

The tourism strategy, launched last month has been drawn up by the economic partnership and Brighton and Hove City Council.

It warns drunken disorder is posing a threat to the city's £382 million tourist industry by scaring off visitors.

On one evening during the summer four bars in Brighton were closed from 9pm onwards when a brawl erupted involving two stag parties.

Police and the Sussex Ambulance Service were called and damage was caused to at least two of the bars.

Some business people fear the situation could worsen if pubs and clubs are allowed to operate all day.

Plans to turn Brighton and Hove into a 24-hour party city moved a step closer last night as several councillors on an influential committee spoke in favour of Government plans to relax licensing laws.

It is hoped longer opening hours will boost tourism and avoid the yobbish behaviour that ensues when drinkers are turfed out of pubs and clubs at the same time. The matter will now be debated by the full council on November 25.