New powers to curb Wandsworth street drinking (From Your Local Guardian)

New powers to curb Wandsworth street drinking

8:20am Saturday 28th January 2012 in Wandsworth

Wandsworth Council is set to deploy new legal powers that will help police tackle problem street drinkers.

Councillors are expected to approve the use of Designated Public Place Orders (DPPO) tomorrow which will deal with specific problems in known trouble spots.

The order essentially allows officers to stop people drinking in public places and confiscate any alcohol in their possession - it would also curb drink-related anti-social behaviour such as physical and verbal abuse, harassment, noise disturbance and urinating in the streets.

Anyone failing to comply could face an on-the spot fine or prosecution in the magistrates court.

Councillor Jonathan Cook, the council's community safety spokesman, believes the council also has a responsibility to step up its effforts to enrol problematic individuals in alcohol treatment programmes.

He said: "This would be a carrot and stick approach because it is highly unlikely that some hardcore street drinkers would respond to a health service intervention without the extra leverage from tougher enforcement action.

"Residents can rest assured that these powers will only ever be used sparingly and in carefully considered circumstances and only for limited periods."

The general purposes committee will be asked to approve the new powers tomorrow night (Thursday) on January 26.