Drunken Louts Look Out!

New power for Police to tackle drunken louts

Home Office Press Release

22 August 2007
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 Tony McNulty 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.