Police chiefs opposed to alcohol disorder zones

by Ewan Turney

The Government's policy for combating alcohol-fuelled disorder appears to be in tatters after the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) joined the ranks of those against alcohol disorder zones (ADZs).

The trade has already lambasted the concept of ADZs for being "impractical" and "unfair", with local councils also claiming the measures would be a "quick fix" and have a negative impact on communities due to their name.

Now ACPO has added its voice in the consultation process to the Government's Drinking Responsibly proposals saying that ADZs would be a "short term" fix which will hit the taxpayer hard, increase bureaucracy and increase the time police spend in court instead of on the streets.

In its nine-page response, leaked to the Observer, ACPO revealed major concerns about the effectiveness of the proposed measures, including fears that any attempt to impose a zone would be fought whole-heartedly by the trade in court. "ACPO is concerned that the proposed zones will be routinely challenged through the courts at considerable cost to the public sector, in terms of time and money," the document reads. "Defending our position in the courts diverts our resources away from where they should be and does little in the meantime to reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour."

ACPO is instead known to favour a more "holistic" approach to combating drink-related disorder, including pubs paying a levy for extra police.

ACPO also wants local authorities to take into account the requirements of a night-time economy when planning future city centres, investment in a public education programme and for the licensed trade to act responsibly at all times, ensuring they do not encourage speed drinking either by irresponsible promotions or by premises design. The association believes this must be backed up by an effective and consistently en-forced sanctioning regime.

A Home Office spokesman said that although the consultation process ended on 28 February, it is still analysing responses and is expected to make an announcement shortly. More than 500 responses have been received.