Licensing policy’s tough new proposals aim to curb alcohol-related incidents in Islington

Published: 15 October, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

WITH anti-social behaviour a big problem in Islington, residents are being asked if they would like to see a boroughwide controlled drinking zone.

It is part of tough new proposals that have been drawn up to tackle alcohol-related incidents.

Other suggestions include: further restriction of new licensed premises opening in Clerkenwell to cut problems caused by the large number of pubs, clubs and bars in the area, and a limit on the number of off-licences in Islington and the hours they can open.

The proposals are outlined in Islington’s draft licensing policy for 2011-2014, which is now available for consultation.

Under a Controlled Drinking Zone, police could confiscate alcohol from nuisance drinkers.

Cllr Paul Smith, Islington Council’s executive member for environment, said: “We’re on the side of residents who are sick of the problems caused by selfish anti-social drinkers.

“We want to toughen up Islington’s policies so police and council officers can tackle the problems that alcohol causes.

“The new council administration is determined to stop a minority of nuisance drinkers causing problems for our community.”

The policy also includes tough rules on underage sales.

For a first offence, off-licences would be fined and given a written warning. Any further offence would lead to a full review of their licence. In serious cases, a full review would happen after one offence.

Islington’s licensing policy is reviewed every three years. Small areas in the borough, including around the Emirates stadium and Clerkenwell, currently have drinking controlled zones. It means that it’s an offence to drink alcohol in any public place after being asked not to do so by a police officer or police community support officer.

An officer can: 

• Ask a person to stop consuming alcohol. 
• Confiscate alcohol from people, even if the drinking vessel (such as a can, bottle or a cup) is unopened. 
• Dispose of any alcohol and containers in a person’s possession. It is an arrestable offence to fail, without reasonable excuse, to meet an officer’s request. There is a maximum fine of £500.

Camden has had a boroughwide controlled drinking zone for some years.

Camden’s environment chief Cllr Sue Vincent said it works very well. “It has definitely made a difference in areas where there are problem drinkers,” she said. 

“The good news is that police have always been sensible and don’t interfere with well-behaved people who might want to enjoy a glass of wine on a sunny day.”

Islington’s new draft policy can be downloaded from www.islington.gov.uk/Leisure/licences/licensing_act/

Consultation is now open to residents and businesses and will run until November 15. A questionnaire can be completed at www.surveymonkey.com/s/YRSPTB8

For more information or a paper copy of either the questionnaire or the draft policy, contact the Licensing Service on 020 7527 3031 or email: licensing@islington.gov.uk