Hackney Council agrees new police powers to combat problem drinking
A Michaels, Mare Street: “It will just give the police an opportunity to pick on people.”
Hackney Council’s Regulatory Committee has approved (Wednesday 17 March) plans to give the police new borough-wide powers to confiscate alcohol from a minority of drinkers whose violent or anti-social behaviour is causing problems for others in public places.
This follows last year’s consultation with residents, 63 per cent of whom said they were in favour of making the whole of Hackney into a “Designated Public Place Order” (DPPO) to manage anti-social behaviour related to excessive drinking.
The new powers, which will come into force by the end of May, are not aimed at those enjoying a glass or two of wine outdoors or a beer in a Hackney park, but at a small number of people whose excessive drinking has become a threat or a nuisance to other people.
Within a DPPO, the police can ask drinkers to stop, and can confiscate their alcohol if they refuse.
It is an offence for drinkers in a DPPO to refuse to give up their alcohol when asked to by a police officer. Under the borough-wide DPPO, the police can now give £50 fixed penalty notices to drinkers who do not instantly comply.
The police will focus their efforts on preventing anti-social drinking from escalating in places identified as ‘problem spots’ by local people as well as Safer Neighbourhoods teams and wardens.
Without the preventative powers permitted under a DPPO, the police have to wait until an alcohol-related incident has escalated into a more serious offence, such as causing harassment, before a ‘problem drinker ‘can be dealt with.
Max Sobol, outside Ochre Works, Gillett Square
Max Sobol, outside Ochre Works, Gillett Square, Dalston: “The Controlled Drinking Areas won’t stop people drinking or getting drunk. The issue is not where people drink, but why, and the council should address the real causes of anti-social behaviour.”
Danielle O'Halloran, The Laundry Room, Broadway Market
Danielle O’Halloran, at the Laundry Room, Broadway Market: “It’s an unimaginative way of dealing with the larger social problem.”
Phoebe Billington and Sarah White, The Dove Freehouse and Kitchen, Broadway Market
Phoebe Billington and Sarah White, the Dove Freehouse and Kitchen, Broadway Market: “There is the worry that the police could exercise their powers too strictly, and there should be strict guidelines to set out how they exercise their discretion. However, the problems of anti-social behaviour in public are not necessarily caused by just drinking, and there is a need to address those other issues.”
More on drinking.
I agree with Phoebe and Sara: drink is not the only cause of anti-social behaviour. As I write there are 2 transit vans and a car all competing to wheel-skid along the road outside my house, and the culprits – a gang of 7 males are all shouting at the top of their ugly voices. This sort of ASB (and much, much worse threatening behaviour) has been going on for 2 years now. But Hackney Homes (the agency who rents property to the culprits) and the police have failed to do anything about it, and your paper has been unwilling to document it!
So drink a glass of champers with the other sloanies on London Fields and your ok but hold a can of Special Brew in St Johns churchyard and your in trouble.
Another curb on the freedom of the many, to tackle the behaviour of a small minority…well done one again, Hackney Council!
Gsob,you will probably find there will be a lot more of action like this now that the job cuts are on their way.People in council and hackney homes who have just been along for the ride will now be looking to make work.The council/hackney homes have ordered people to take their security gates down but couldnt produce a fire assessment report when asked by tenants leaders who are having to deal with the old age pensioners on their estates frightened of losing the security the gates give them.
Municipal Stalinism in action – dear, oh dear! :-/
So what is really going to happen is the council increase the work that the police have to do and pass all responsibility. And if it goes wrong we all know where the finger will be pointing.
Tonyn,I saw the police take cans off
of the drinkers down Hoxton yesterday.For years these same drinkers have been in the market and no-ones done a thing about them.Is this hackneys approach to the olympics being held here.Tidy the place up but leave it to the police to take the stick.
I have a friend or two in the met in various locations, the new by law is put in place by the council (again with deciding what is right for us) but the police have to enforce it. Dont remember being asked my opinion on that one.
Pat dont you just love being told what to do and how to live your life.