U.K.'s Drinking Problem Worsened By 24-Hour License

London, England (AHN) - The availability of 24-hour licenses has worsened Britain's drinking problems. British Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, in a written statement to the House of Commons, said while there was a rise in alcohol-related violent crimes during the wee hours, drinking did not became widespread as earlier feared.

Burnham reported violent crimes even dropped during the evening and late nights, but violent crimes between 3 to 6 a.m. went up by 4 percent. The mixed results of the 24-hour licenses was apparent, Burnham said, in reports from hospitals that "while there is no clear picture of whether alcohol-related admissions have risen, some hospitals have seen a fall in demand, others have reported an increase."

To address Britain's drinking problem, Tory leader David Cameron suggested social solutions. Cameron said at a press conference, "I think it is very important to recognize that there is no one change in opening hours, on one change to taxation, no one change to the law that is going to solve this problem."

Cameron hinted of an alcohol taxation, but declined to provide details. He said he will make an announcement on a drink tax within the week.

After 8 months of implementation of the 24-hour license policy, the U.K. assessed it. Burnham bared a yellow card, red card warning system as a further refinement of the policy. Under the system, establishments with alcohol licenses which are caught serving drinks to children or people already drunk will have their licenses canceled. The same penalty applies to places that have high rates of noise, disorder or crime.

The review will likely recommend a hike in fines from Britons caught drinking in certain public areas to $4,969 (2,500 pound) from $994 (500 pound).