Later licensing hours linked to rise in alcohol-related ambulance call-outs and crime

Extending late-night alcohol sales have been associated with increases in alcohol-related harm, according to a new study which examined the effects of licensing changes in Aberdeen and Glasgow.聽

Published in , the research explored how changes to permitted opening hours affected alcohol-related ambulance call-outs and reported crime.聽

Researchers analysed data collected between March 2017 and October 2020, following decisions to extend trading hours in licensed premises in both cities. In Aberdeen, 38 pubs and bars were granted permission to sell alcohol until 3am, while in Glasgow, 10 nightclubs were allowed to extend opening until 4am.聽

The findings showed that in Aberdeen, where a larger number of venues received longer extensions, alcohol-related ambulance call-outs on weekend nights increased by 11.4% (average increase of 4.643 extra weekly callouts, 95% CI (0.292,8.994)). Reported crimes also rose by 8.5% (average of 3.442 extra weekly; 95% CI 0.239鈥塼o 6.645) during the same period. Researchers also observed that the peak period for alcohol-related ambulance call-outs shifted later into the night, moving from midnight鈥�1am to 1am鈥�2am, with longer night-time periods experiencing higher volume of call-outs.聽

The analysis found that the increase in alcohol-related ambulance call-outs in Aberdeen was particularly pronounced among men and people aged under 45. According to the researchers, these findings suggest that extending trading hours may influence harmful drinking behaviours and the timing of alcohol-related incidents.聽

In contrast, the study did not identify measurable increases in ambulance call-outs or crime associated with the licensing changes examined in Glasgow. Researchers suggest the difference between the two cities may reflect several factors, including the number of premises affected, the length of the extensions granted and the types of venues involved. In Glasgow, only nightclubs meeting specific safety requirements were eligible for the later closing time.

Alcohol-related harm continues to place a significant burden on health services. The study highlights that these harms are most common late at night, particularly at weekends, when higher levels of intoxication can contribute to injuries, violence and emergency healthcare demand. The researchers note that Scotland recorded more than 31,000 alcohol-specific hospital admissions between 2022 and 2023.

The team says the findings provide important evidence for policymakers considering future licensing decisions. They argue that both the scale of licensing extensions and the types of venues receiving them should be carefully considered when assessing potential impacts on public health and community safety.

The authors also note that previous international research has linked reductions in late-night trading hours with decreases in alcohol-related harm. As the first UK study to examine the relationship between extended opening hours and alcohol-related ambulance call-outs, they believe the results can contribute to future national and local licensing policy discussions.

Professor Niamh Fitzgerald of the University of Stirling, and Principal Investigator of the wider study, said: 鈥淥ur study shows that local authorities need greater powers to control the number and type of venues that are allowed to open later at night because large-scale extensions will result in increased health harms and crimes. Whilst this part of the research didn鈥檛 find measurable impacts in Glasgow, local stakeholders reported in interviews that the 4am extension in just 10 nightclubs had put frontline services under severe strain.鈥�

The study was a collaboration between The University of 滴滴打炮app, the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Sheffield, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Ambulance Service, and forms part of a wider project led by the University of Stirling.

role on this work and the wider NIHR funded ELEPHANT project focused on advising the statistical design and methodologies proposed for the analyses, including analyses of changes in the geographical distributions of harms.