Police lukewarm over drink disorder zones

Criticism of the controversial Alcohol Disorder Zone (ADZ) scheme is intensifying as the consultation period approaches its conclusion later this month.

Ahead of the 28 February deadline, senior police officers in Dorset have expressed concern over the practicalities of the Government's hastily introduced initiative to tackle alcohol-fuelled disorder on the high street.

Dorset Constabulary's licensing officer Dick Hudson said officers were worried whether ADZs, which were unveiled alongside a raft of measures to coincide with the new licensing act, would be effective.

Hudson said: "It wouldn't be a problem to set up an ADZ in a small town. But in large areas such as Poole and Bournemouth, which are sprawling and hard to encompass, there would likely be [troublesome] feeder pubs that aren't within a zone."

This view is supported by the British Institute of Innkeeping, which believes the scheme is flawed. Chief executive John McNamara said: "One pub in a street with 11 could let the area down and it becomes classed as ADZ without solving the problem.

"We want the police to target problem businesses with the new powers they have under the 2003 licensing act, which will allow them to close premises down for 24 hours and repeat that action if necessary. This will hit rogue operators where it hurts."

Alcohol Disorder Zones
ADZs cover pubs and clubs in any area where authorities consider antisocial drinking to be a problem. If no improvement is seen after an eight-week warning period, licensed premises will be charged for any extra costs the local council and police consider necessary. This could include extra policing, street cleaning or even healthcare.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 24 February 2005