Police officers could get powers for £100 on-the-spot fines for public drinking
By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter
Police officers could get new powers to confiscate booze from park drinkers.
Lewisham council is looking to give officers the power to issue £100 on-the-spot fines to street drinkers in an effort to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Revellers would have to stop drinking and hand over their bottles if asked by police or council officers under the proposed measure.
Refusal to do so could see them slapped with fines of up to £1,000 if prosecuted in the courts.
Officials said the powers could help tackle a surge in booze-fuelled antisocial behaviour in the borough.
There were 1,335 incidents of alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in 2021 – a 31per cent increase on 2020.
Lewisham councillors voted to kick start a public consultation on introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle problem street drinking, at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
PSPOs allow councils to ban certain activities or behaviour in a local area.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Chris Barnham, Labour cabinet member for children’s services and school performance, said: “I wouldn’t want to give the impression that Lewisham is besieged with antisocial behaviour but we’ve had a review which has identified some concerns about alcohol-related antisocial behaviour and other issues.
“The order is not about restricting people’s enjoyment of public spaces and parks or stopping activities in the nighttime economy. Quite the reverse. It is about ensuring that everyone is able to enjoy the public realm safely and without being subjected to antisocial behaviour.”
The council previously introduced a PSPO banning certain antisocial behaviour in 2018, but it expired in 2021.
According to council documents, incidents of booze-fuelled antisocial behaviour have risen since the previous restrictions ended.
Hotspots for booze-fuelled antisocial behaviour in the borough include New Cross, Deptford and Lewisham town centre. Other areas where it is a significant problem include Catford and Downham.
Picture top: Lewisham council offices (Picture: Google Street View)
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