Britain may impose national booze ban

[icelander93]

Britain may go ahead with plans to ban alcohol-related offenders across the country from all pubs and off-licences for a maximum two years after a five year delay.


Under Drinking Banning Orders (DBO), the police can prevent those repeatedly charged with anti-social and disorderly behavior under the influence of alcohol from the pubs, clubs, off-licences and certain parts of a town as well as from drinking alcohol in public.

The Home Office said it is now piloting the plan in 25 local justice areas across Britain and 25 others will join the DBO regions as from Monday adding if the results are favorable the orders could be extended to cover the whole country.

So far, 16 offenders have received DBOs which can be given to any person from the age of 16 based on the courts' decision, if they engage in criminal or disorderly conduct while under the influence of alcohol.

The orders which can be given by the police, including the British Transport Police, and the local authorities in England and Wales could strip offenders from 2 months to 2 years from alcohol-related rights.

Anyone who violates the orders can be penalized by up to £2,500.

"We remain concerned about the number of alcohol related incidents and the drink-fuelled violence and disorder that blight many of our towns and cities,” said James Brokenshire, the Home Office minister.

“The Government has committed to rebalancing the Licensing Act in favour of local communities, taking tough action to tackle problem premises, banning the sale of below cost alcohol and will allow local councils to charge more for late-night licences,” he added.