Binning the booze in Earl's Court

1 September 2003

Anyone found drinking on some streets in the Earl's Court area of the Royal Borough could be liable for a fine of up to£500 from later this month (22 September) as the Council cracks down on anti-social drinking.

Changes to the law mean that under Section 13(2) of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, the Council can designate roads, squares and gardens as 'public places'. This means that police officers will now have new powers to stop people who they believe are drinking, or who they believe intend to drink in these public places and to ask them to stop.

If a police officer's request is refused without a reasonable excuse, drinkers are liable to prosecution and can be fined up to £500. Police will also have the power to confiscate alcohol and issue a penalty notice.

As a result of these strengthened anti-social drinking regulations, the Council has designated 27 streets, squares and gardens in Earl's Court as 'public places' where the new police powers apply. Before adopting these new powers, the Council has consulted the police, neighbouring local authorities, licensees and landowners.

Councillor Barry Phelps, Ward Councillor for Earl's Court, said: "For too long we have had to put up with abusive drunks congregating outside the Earl's Court underground station and elsewhere in the Ward. These are not 'unfortunate victims of alcohol dependency', but a tiny minority of mostly selfish, unpleasant people who degrade the quality of life for everyone else. Majorities have rights too. Earl's Court Ward councillors have been long campaigning for this measure. Now we have won it we shall not pussy-foot. In addition to the CCTV cameras in the area, this will enable us to continue improving the protection of the public and enhancing the environment of the Royal Borough."

The 27 'public places' were officially designated by the Council on 27 August and the order comes into force on 22 September. This week (1 September) the Council will start putting up signs in the designated areas marking them as places where the restrictions will apply.

Notes for Editors

It should be noted that it is not an offence to drink alcohol in a designated public place. It only becomes an offence if a person fails to comply with a request from a police officer without reasonable excuse.

'Public places' designated by the Council on 27 August

Barkston Gardens

Bolton Gardens (from the junction with Earl's Court Road to the junction with Collingham Gardens only)

Bramham Gardens

Child's Place

Child's Street

Child's Walk

Courtfield Gardens (from the junction with Laverton Place to the junction with Knaresborough Place only)

Earl's Court Gardens

Earl's Court Road (from the junction with West Cromwell Road to the junction with Old Brompton Road only)

Earl's Court Square

Farnell Mews

Hesper Mews

Hogarth Place

Hogarth Road

Kenway Road

Knaresborough Place

Laverton Mews

Laverton Place

Longridge Road

Nevern Place

Nevern Road

Nevern Square

Old Brompton Road (from the junction with Warwick Road to the junction with Earl's Court Road only)

Old Manor Yard

Pentwern Close

Redcliffe Close

Rich Lane

Spear Mews

Templeton Place

Trebovir Road

Wallgrave Road

Warwick Road (from the junction with Old Brompton Road to the junction with West Cromwell Road)

West Cromwell Road (from the junction with Warwick Road to the junction with Knaresborough Place only)

Whetherby Mews

For more information contact Media and Communications.