New measures to control alcohol violence (From Daily Echo)

New measures to control alcohol violence

5:15pm Wednesday 20th March 2002

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POLICE will be able to fine or arrest anyone drinking in the streets of central Watford under new powers designed to tackle violent and loutish behaviour.

Unruly drinkers will face fines of up to £500 and will be forced to hand over alcohol to officers when the measures come into effect.

As of April, when warning signs go up, a large part of the town will become an alcohol control zone. The blanket coverage includes the area inside the ring road, The Parade, St Albans Road up to Watford Junction Station and large parts of Vicarage Ward near the football stadium.

Anyone drinking in these areas will be committing a criminal offence if they continue to drink after being warned by a police officer not to. And it will be a criminal act not to hand over any container, other than sealed bottles, which officers think may contain alcohol.

The new powers, available to under the Police and Criminal Justice Act 2001, were approved by Watford Council's planning committee.

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