Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) has hit out against government proposals that nightclubs should make voluntary donations to the police.

In the White Paper 'Policing for the 21st Century', the home office proposes voluntary payments from nightclubs to cover weekend policing costs.

John Brackenbury, chairman of BISL, said: 'The police's reputation for integrity and even-handed treatment stems from the fact that they are publicly funded.

'Once voluntary payments are sought, it calls into question whether nightclubs that choose not to pay will still be treated fairly by the police, and whether nightclubs that pay the most will receive more favourable treatment.'

Brackenbury urged the Home Office to press ahead with liquor licencing reforms and proposals to remove fixed closing times instead.