Lib Dems welcome new powers to deal with disorder

1.01.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 4th Apr 2006

Linda Seekings - "I welcome the proposals in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill to give Councils like Crawley more powers to deal with the problems of public disorder and problem drinking."

Northgate's Liberal Democrat Councillor, Linda Seekings, has today welcomed the proposed measures in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill being considered in the House of Lords this week. The Bill introduces new powers for local authorities to deal with antisocial behaviour and problem drinking in their neighbourhoods including Alcohol Disorder Zones and Drink Banning Orders

Local authorities would have powers to designate problem areas as Alcohol Disorder Zones so that clubs and bars will have to contribute to the costs of dealing with problem behaviour. With Drink Banning Orders the Borough Council and the Police could apply to the magistrates for an order banning an individual from drinking in designated public places, such as certain streets or the whole town centre or a neighbourhood if their drink-related behaviour warranted it.

Councillor Linda Seekings commented "I welcome the proposals in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill to give Councils like Crawley more powers to deal with the problems of public disorder and problem drinking in a targeted and effective way. In bringing forward these new measures the government is recognising the shortcomings and failures of its previous attempts to deal with these problems using Designated Public Places Orders."

Linda went on to say "The part of the license trade that bear the responsibility for some of the problem must play a bigger part in dealing with the consequences and alcohol disorder zones would give us a lever to bring this about. Moreover, when dealing with alcohol related antisocial behaviour, action must be targeted so that we do not treat the innocent as criminals. Targeted action is also more effective, there is no point in simply moving this behaviour around Crawley. For this reason the Drink Banning Order powers are to be welcomed."