Hackney Booze Ban Proposed

BethPH
By BethPH Last edited 173 months ago
Hackney Booze Ban Proposed

In the wake of the Lambeth Controlled Drinking Zone introduced this summer, Hackney Council are considering a borough-wide alcohol ban.

In a positive frenzy of acronyms, London Borough of Hackney (LBH) want to use the Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) which appears to be slightly different from the CDZ to combat Anti-Social Street Drinkers (ASSDs). Heavy-handed enforcement of the CDZs was criticised earlier this year when police targeted park picnickers to demand they pour away even the most civilised glass of Pinot.

Hackney seem to have taken on board the criticisms and are promising that police will not use their powers under the DPPO disproportionately, citing existing successful CDZs in Dalston and the centre of Hackney. Councillor Alan Laing said: 'The message has to be made that this is not a ban on the consumption of alcohol in public places. These new police powers are targeted at a minority whose drinking causes trouble. They are not aimed at the majority of us, who may want to enjoy a beer in the park or a glass of wine at a picnic.'

It all sounds perfectly reasonable, though civil liberties group The Manifesto Club describe the proposal as 'an example of the top-down regulated society that we are becoming'. Local authorities say anti-social behaviour has decreased as a result, with Newham police claiming the Stratford CDZ has resulted in increased enjoyment of the town centre for residents and workers.

CDZs are popping up all over the capital (and indeed the rest of the country), with the previously-mentioned Lambeth, Camden, Brent, Hounslow, Feltham and Epping being a few to adopt the policy.

It will be interesting to see if the common-sense approach wins out and responsible grown-ups can continue to enjoy a drink in public.

Last Updated 22 October 2009