Dear Sir,

Your most recent poll question — “Can sports and social clubs do more to combat antisocial behaviour?” — is particularly appropriate in the wake of the shooting at Southampton Rangers Sports Club last Friday night.

That club has a long history of violent behaviour and, while it would be wonderful to see the management do more, I think it’s got so out of control that the public, who are indirectly victims of violence, should take action. Does anyone doubt the connection between abuse of liquor and violent behaviour?

Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe, who is the chairman of the Liquor Licensing Authority, has pledged a crackdown on abuse of the liquor licensing system.

He told The Royal Gazette in July that, while the authority was keen to work with applicants to help them to understand the law, the authority would not tolerate flagrant abuse of the system.

“Unfortunately, there is a great deal of flouting and abusing of the liquor licensing system, particularly when it comes to occasional liquor licences and members’ club licences,” he said. “We have also heard of premises selling to minors and persons who are not TIPS-certified serving alcohol. We want to rein in this abuse. We do not want to inhibit entrepreneurship, but there will be zero tolerance for deliberate abuses of the law.”

I’m sure he and the Liquor Licensing Authority would be pleased to hear from residents concerned about the violence at Southampton Rangers, especially from those residents who live in the area.

Letters can be addressed to the Liquor Licensing Authority, c/o Magistrates’ Court, 23 Parliament St, Hamilton HM 12.

CRUEL BUT FAIR