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A city is considering a total ban on street drinking under new powers which come into force next year, it was reported.
The proposals, being looked at by Nottingham City Council's leader Jon Collins, would cover all the authority's streets, parks and other public places.
Mr Collins told the Nottingham Evening Post: "I talk to leaders from other cities and they say they would like central government to give them powers for such a ban.
"People understand clear messages. There's no confusion in alcohol-free zones, where we do thousands of confiscations each year.
"I do not think it's a civil liberties issue. It's about saying we do not want people drinking in the street."
Mr Collins hopes to use new powers under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 to push through the restrictions, which could make Nottingham the first city in England and Wales to bring in a total ban on street drinking.
Consuming alcohol in the street is already banned in parts of the city and anyone who refuses to stop drinking in public or hand over drink when asked faces arrest and a fine of up to £500.
Andrew Errington, the city council's service director for community protection, told the Evening Post: "This is not about banning lawful consumption of alcohol in your garden.
"It's about tackling one of the things that surveys reveal the public are most troubled with."
Reader views (4)
Dear Lord Rulers, If ypou dont want people to smoke.Stop selling thewm and living of the Tax.
If you dont want people to drink booze. Stop selling it and living of the Tax.
If you dont stop selling both..then please shut up and get back to your subsidised bars in Parliment where you are allowed to smoke .
- Your Um'ble Serf
- Clif
- Clif, London
What happens to people who are having a smoke outside a pub? - or is the backdoor way to get at them.
- David, Abbey Wood SE2
So presumably this will also extend to street eating areas and spillage from pubs.
Whilst agreeing with the sentiment the idea is doomed UNLESS there is the basic infrastructure to back the scheme ie cells, holding areas and court time, yes a court appearance IS appropriate.
Just wait until a Friday night the chances of mass detention of hormonally excited teenagers is about zero
- James, City of London
Joe Public will soon need a license from this nanny state to have a cup of tea in the privacy of their own home.
YET ANOTHER GLORIFIED SCHEME TO CONTROL EVERYBODY AND IMPOSE A FURTHER STEALTH TAX FOR THE COFFERS OF THIS CORRUPT GOVERNMENT.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
