Crime - public disorder

Minimising public disorder - A guide to alcohol control zones

How are they enforced?

Police in Maidstone are reassuring people that alcohol control zones are not complete bans on drinking in public, following confusion from members of the public.

Alcohol control zones were enforced in the Maidstone Town Centre area in 2006 and are used to stop alcohol consumption becoming an anti-social problem on the town centre streets. 

They can only be set up in areas that have already experienced alcohol related crime or disorder and officers can only enforce control if individuals carry on drinking after being told not to. Officers can then dispose of open or unopened containers of alcohol then issue a fine of up to £500 and where appropriate can arrest and prosecute the offender.

The control zones have already been a huge success along the river front area of Maidstone in combating crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour, where incidents have dropped significantly.

Licensing Officer Neil Barnes, commented: 'These powers are not intended to disrupt peaceful activities such as families having a picnic in the park but are designed to address nuisance or annoyance associated with the consumption of alcohol within a designated area. We would like to emphasize that drinking is still allowed where it is permitted, such as bars and pubs.'

'The object is to allow people to enjoy themselves without being confronted by intoxicated individuals in the street. It is not a ban; it is an opportunity for early intervention to stop alcohol related crime before it happens.'