Pub and club owners should be made to pay for the policing of antisocial behaviour caused by alcohol, Scotland's Justice Secretary said yesterday.

Pub and club owners should be made to pay for the policing of antisocial behaviour caused by alcohol, Scotland's Justice Secretary said yesterday.

Kenny MacAskill's proposal prompted Scotland's licensed trade to accuse the SNP of performing a U-turn on the stance it took while in opposition and failing to consult the industry on its recommendations.

The Justice Secretary suggested his "polluter pays" approach at a conference organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland to discuss the incoming new licensing legislation.

He said he wanted their views on how high the fees should be and who should pay as part of the executive's current consultation on fee levels.

The scheme would result in late-opening premises charged an additional fee to the annual £87 they pay to open beyond 11pm, with the money used to help with policing costs in antisocial behaviour hotspots.

Given the closing time of most pubs the additional levy would be aimed primarily at nightclubs.

But licensed trade officials point out that while in opposition the SNP opposed the policy, with Fergus Ewing, now Mr MacAskill's Community Safety Minister, claiming it was "impossible to interpret and implement" and would amount to a "punitive measure" on an already over-burdened industry.

It had been recommended by Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Martin when the incoming licensing bill was debated, but was ditched.

In his speech at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan, Fife, Mr MacAskill said those permitted to sell alcohol must bear the responsibility for the social and economic costs.

"The effects of alcohol on our city and town centres is not cost-free and those who profit from it must contribute to addressing it. It's not right that taxpayers pick up the whole of the bill. Licensees should pay their way too."

He added: "These fees could be used to create a fund to help off-set the costs of additional policing in areas with a large number of late-opening premises, areas that are considered antisocial behaviour hotspots, such as Lothian Road and Sauchiehall Street on a Friday or Saturday night."

Eddie Tobin, head of nightclub lobbying group the British Entertainment and Discotheque Association and chairman of the Glasgow Licensing Forum, said: "I'm horrified by this total U-turn.

"It also runs against what the leader of his party has told the trade and punishes innocent rates payers.

"Mr MacAskill needs to remember that those causing the antisocial behaviour caused by alcohol either haven't got into clubs or do so near their own homes."

Paul Waterson, of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, added: "Scotland is a nation now which buys drink from the off-trade, mainly supermarkets. How can Mr MacAskill determine where the person became drunk?"

But the suggestion received strong support from Acpos, which also backed it when the bill was going through Parliament.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Dickinson, chair of the Acpos licensing sub-group, said: "Mr MacAskill was clear, and Acpos strongly agrees, that Scotland needs to work vigorously and energetically together to address the worst effects of alcohol abuse.

"Problem premises, which are badly managed, have a direct and detrimental impact on their communities or their customers and staff, should contribute to the consequences of their actions."