Law Weblog

New power for Police to tackle drunken louts

Wednesday 22 August 2007 at 8:09 pm | In News | Post Comment

Troublemakers causing or contributing to alcohol-related crime or disorder can be excluded from places such as a town centre or village green for up to 48 hours by police, under a new power coming into force today (22/8/07) under Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2007 .

The new ‘Direction to Leave’ power is another tool to support the Government’s aim to end the culture of binge drinking, discourage unacceptable alcohol-fuelled behaviour, and tackle effectively such behaviour when it occurs, protecting people from the harm it causes.

A direction to leave prohibits an individual aged 16 years or over from returning to a specific locality for a period not exceeding 48 hours. The power should be used proportionately, reasonably and with discretion in circumstances where it is considered necessary to prevent the likelihood of alcohol-related crime or disorder.

Home Office Guidance on the use of this power is available here.