18 September 2003

SPELLAR CONSULTS ON NEW MEASURES TO CONTROL DRINKING IN PUBLIC PLACES

New measures to tighten control of drinking in public places - and the anti- social behaviour that goes with it - are set out in a paper published for consultation today by John Spellar MP, the Minister with responsibility for Social Development.

The consultation paper follows a review of the bye-laws available to district councils and the police to control nuisance drinking in public. The Minister said:

"I know many people have voiced concerns that the existing bye-laws do not provide the means to put an immediate stop to disorderly behaviour and deter habitual offenders. The consultation paper outlines measures to address this but we are also keen to know whether tougher measures, beyond those available through bye-laws, should be introduced to control outdoor drinking."

Currently all 26 district councils in Northern Ireland have bye-laws that make it an offence to drink alcohol in designated areas and that give the police the power to take the names and addresses of offenders before passing the details to the local council which is responsible for prosecution proceedings.

However, the consultation paper proposes that the police be given powers to act on the spot against offenders by making it an offence for a person to refuse to dispose of an open can or bottle containing alcohol and by permitting the seizure and disposal of open cans or bottles.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Department would welcome comments on the proposed changes to the bye-laws. We also invite comments as to whether powers, beyond those available under Section 90 of the Local Government Act 1972 (under which bye-laws are made) should be taken to control the anti-social behaviour associated with drinking in public. The closing date for receipt of comments on the consultation paper is 15 December 2003.
2. Comments should be sent to:

   Department for Social Development,
   Social Policy Unit,
   Dundonald House
   Upper Newtownards Road
   Belfast
   BT4 3RA.

   Tel: 028 9052 0842
   Fax: 028 9052 0889
   Textphone: 028 9052 0861
   E-mail: social.policy@dsdni.gov.uk

3. Copies of the paper are available in alternative formats from the Social Policy Unit and it is also published on the Department’s website at www.dsdni.gov.uk

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