Complaints halved since introduction of no tolerance rule
The number of drunks hanging around our streets and parks has halved since a blanket alcohol ban was introduced, according to police statistics.
The figures show there were 574 calls relating to drunks in 2008/09, compared to 1,109 the previous year.
Street drinking was banned across the borough in November 2006 and a number of other councils are now following suit, including Kensington and Chelsea, which brought in similar measures last month.
Anyone caught with alcohol in the street in Hammersmith and Fulham can be ordered to pour it away or hand it over, or face a £500 fine and a night in jail. Police and the council's park constables have been targeting groups of people who congregate to drink on benches and in parks.
Hammersmith and Fulham's Crime and street scene leader Greg Smith says: "Street drinkers have had a sobering wake-up call, thanks to the borough-wide controlled drinking area.
" West London is sending a clear message to street drinkers - get off the booze and get off our streets."
Five local shops have also been ordered to stop selling beer, lager and cider with an alcohol content of more than 5.5 per cent.
July 6, 2009
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