Drinking in public

Published: 11 June, 2010

• WITH warm evenings beckoning, our pave­ments are already ringing with the sounds of res­idents and visitors enjoy­ing themselves in the open air. But while most people can enjoy a drink or two responsibly there is a small, but significant, minority whose behaviour is anti-social and endangers themselves and others.

Residents and businesses in the south of the borough have recently supported an Islington Council consultation proposing police powers to confiscate alcohol from trouble-makers.

So now, Clerkenwell ward and parts of Barnsbury and Caledonian wards are covered by a Designated Public Place Order.

This means police may seize drink where they consider alcohol-related anti-social behaviour or violence is likely to occur. The order does not prevent people drinking outside pubs or at café and restaurant pavement tables this summer. After a three-month trial there will be a review and residents and businesses can feed back to us.

CLLR BARBARA SIDNELL
executive member for community safety