Drinking Banning Orders Planned

Sat, 27 December 2008 Courtesy of: Ananova

A new power that targets offenders who commit crime under the influence of alcohol has been unveiled by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell.

From next summer, Drinking Banning Orders will allow police and local authorities to stop a person entering certain premises if they have been involved in criminal or disorderly conduct under the influence of alcohol. Breach of a Drinking Banning Order, which can last up to two years, could lead to a fine of up to £2,500. The orders are focused on people whose drinking has been identified as a factor in their irresponsible and disorderly behaviour.

To add to the range of tools and powers to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder, the Government also published new guidance on obtaining Designated Public Place Orders and establishing Alcohol Disorder Zones.

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said:

"The Government has given police and local authorities a wide range of tools and powers to tackle alcohol fuelled crime. We have recently given police forces and councils across England and Wales a cash boost of £4.5 million to deal with specific local problems.

"Drinking Banning Orders will focus on offenders who've committed crime under the influence of alcohol. They are an example of our targeted and focused approach to ensure people can enjoy drinking sensibly and sociably.

"Alcohol Disorder Zones are a measure of last resort and I encourage councils and police to follow the action plan process to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder where it is required. They can help recover some policing costs caused by alcohol fuelled crime and disorder."

Alan Campbell today visited Alnwick in Northumberland which has two Designated Public Place Orders which means police and accredited local authority officials can confiscate alcohol in public places and can order individuals in that area to stop drinking alcohol.

Mike Craik, Association of Chief Police Officers national spokesperson for alcohol and licensing, said:

"This significant funding of £4.5 million will enable us to make further inroads into what are real local issues in many areas. Police forces are always ready to work alongside partners in local councils to use resources and powers to provide a focus on drunken offenders who cannot behave in public places and who spoil the experience of others.

"The ability to take action against these problematic people by preventing them from entering certain places is something forces up and down the country can work with in future. Alongside intelligence-led enforcement activity directed at the specific problems excessive alcohol consumption brings, measures such as alcohol disorder zones, as a position of last resort, can also be a useful tool in the range of powers available to us."

Hazel Harding, Chair of the Local Government Association Safer Communities Board, said:

"Drink fuelled anti-social behaviour is a major concern for many councils and this power is a necessary step in helping them deal with it. However, it's important to recognise that Drinking Banning Orders should only be used as a last resort, when all other efforts to tackle the problem have been exhausted. Also, it remains to be seen how they will be enforced."

Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, national alcohol misuse charity, said:

"If used as part of a package of measures to reduce alcohol harms these initiatives can make a real difference to safety on our streets. Policing of alcohol-related crime must go hand in hand with more robust measures to curb irresponsible and illegal sales and improved treatment pathways for dependent drinkers."

Notes

1. The Government intends to introduce Drinking Banning Orders in the summer 2009, when police and local authorities will be able to apply to magistrates' courts. These will apply to offenders who have committed crime under the influence of alcohol.