Green light for ADZs from today
Councils can push for alcohol disorder zones (ADZs) from today.
The commencement order confirming ADZs on the statute books has now been laid and local authorities can finally start the ball rolling to implement the much-criticised measure.
Pubs would be forced to pay a levy for the cost of alcohol of alcohol-related disorder in an ADZ.
No council has yet confirmed that it wants an ADZ, although a recent survey by the Local Government Association found one in three would consider the measure.
But the same proportion ruled them out. A similar proportion again are undecided.
LGA survey
The survey also showed that two out of five councils do not expect to recoup costs incurred as a result of implementing an ADZ.
One in four local authorities do not know what the affect of an ADZ would be - or expected it to have no effect.
While these zones are an extra tool in the arsenal for councils and police to help combat drunken and rowdy behaviour, they will not be a cure all for the booze cultureSimon MiltonLGA chairman
Councils that do intend to go ahead with ADZs are mainly motivated by a wish to reduce alcohol-related incidents and bad behaviour.
But one in four said the main attraction was that they would give the police and themselves more power to act.
Greater powers
LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton, said: "Councils will use every power that is available to them to help combat drink related crime and anti-social behaviour, as long as it is suitable for the area and has the support of the local people.
"The survey demonstrates that while there will be councils using these measures, there are many that remain unconvinced of the benefits of introducing Alcohol Disorder Zones in their part of the world.
"While these zones are an extra tool in the arsenal for councils and police to help combat drunken and rowdy behaviour, they will not be a cure all for the booze culture.
"Alcohol Disorder Zones are designed as a measure of last resort in attempting to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder issues stemming from pubs, bars and clubs.
"While Alcohol Disorder Zones may seem like an attractive option, in practice, they may prove to be a costly, complicated and unwieldy tool for many councils.
"The major concern for many councils is the cost involved in preparing and implementing these zones and the additional burdens involved in attempting to recover the costs.
"There needs to be a radical overhaul of the way in which we as a nation see alcohol, from the way in which alcohol is marketed to the discounted offers on supermarket drinks.
"There needs to be far more done by retailers and producers of alcohol to help change the country's attitude to beer and the bottle."
Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said the Government would keep "a careful watch" to ensure ADZs are "fair, equitable and effective".
"We have listened carefully to the views of all our partners to ensure that ADZs complement existing powers and are used only as a measure of last resort.
"In rare cases where voluntary agreements and other tactical options have not worked, local authorities must ensure that ADZs are fair, equitable and effective. We will be keeping a careful watch to see that they are.
"If businesses cause alcohol related crime and disorder it is right that they should contribute to the extra costs of policing it.
"ADZs are another tool for local authorities and the police to tackle problem premises and clamp down on alcohol fuelled disorder."
