Alcohol Alcohol Consumption in Public Places
Designation Orders: Powers of Confiscation
The Criminal Justice and Police Act (CJPA) 2001 introduced several measures to combat alcohol-related crime and disorder. These powers came into effect in September 2001. They included new powers (sections 12 -16) for local authorities to designate areas to restrict the public consumption of alcohol and for the police to confiscate alcohol and opened containers (but not alcohol in sealed containers).
Since the introduction of these powers, the Home Secretary has received representations from the police and others to the effect that the provisions in the Act in fact limit the ability of the police to deal effectively with under-age and anti-social drinking. Particularly when individuals go on to drink from sealed containers after the police have seized opened containers of alcohol.
The clause will extend the police powers to confiscate alcohol in sealed containers from adults in designated areas and young people in public places, where the police reasonably believe that they intend to consume the alcohol.
Last update: Tuesday, July 24, 2007