Troublemakers causing or contributing to alcohol-related crime or
disorder can be excluded from places such as a town centre or
village green for up to 48 hours by police, under a new power
coming into force today. The new 'Direction to Leave' power is
another tool to support the Government's aim to end the culture of
binge drinking, discourage unacceptable alcohol-fuelled behaviour,
and tackle effectively such behaviour when it occurs, protecting
people from the harm it causes. Practical...Request free trial
Troublemakers causing or contributing to
alcohol-related crime or disorder can be excluded from places such
as a town centre or village green for up to 48 hours by police,
under a new power coming into force today.
The new 'Direction to Leave' power is another tool to support the
Government's aim to end the culture of binge drinking, discourage
unacceptable alcohol-fuelled behaviour, and tackle effectively such
behaviour when it occurs, protecting people from the harm it
causes.
Practical advice and guidance is being sent to all police
forces.
This will explain the circumstances when giving a Direction to
Leave might be appropriate and the procedure for issuing and
recording it.
Home Office Minister said:
"Tackling the drivers of crime is a top Government priority and
this new power provides police with a valuable tool in the fight to
tackle alcohol-related crime or disorder. It allows officers to
deal with and diffuse a situation immediately out on the streets
before it reaches offending levels or the courts.
"As well as minimising the likelihood of alcohol-related crime or
disorder taking place, the Direction to Leave could prevent someone
hurting themselves or injuring someone else because of their
drunken behaviour.
"This power fits well with the Government's new alcohol strategy
which aims to challenge unacceptable drinking behaviour. This
is crucial if we are to reduce the harm that alcohol causes to
individuals, families and communities."
Chris Allison, ACPO lead on Licensing and Deputy Assistant
Commissioner of the Met, said:
"This is another power that will assist the Police Service in
dealing with alcohol-fuelled, crime, disorder and anti-social
behaviour.
"However, the underlying problem is a culture of excessive drinking
that will not be solved through the use of police powers alone.
ACPO will continue to support the Government in its efforts to
change this culture through the national alcohol strategy'.
A person who fails to comply with a direction to leave is guilty of
an offence and could be fined up to £2,500.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Violent Crime Reduction Act received Royal Assent on 8
November 2006 and its measures have been introduced on a staggered
basis. The Act can be viewed online at:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/ukpga_20060038_en.pdf
2. Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 comes into
force on 22 August 2007. It provides a constable in uniform with a
new power to issue a direction to an individual aged 16 or over to
leave a locality and prohibit their return for up to a maximum 48
hours. This is where an individual's presence is likely to cause or
contribute to the occurrence, repetition or continuance of
alcohol-related crime or disorder. The provision applies to England
and Wales only.
3. Guidance to help police make the most effective use of this new
power is being published at:
http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications/publication/operational-policing/directions-to-leave-locality
4. On the 5 June 2007, the Government published 'Safe, Sensible,
Social - next steps for the National Alcohol Strategy' at
http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/publication-search/drug-strategy/alcohol?view=Binary,
and will continue to promote a range of measures to reduce the
problem of alcohol misuse.
