ILFORD: Plea for booze ban to deter yobs

Plea for booze ban to deter yobs

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BANDS of drunken youths have prompted police to call for an outdoor booze ban in parts of Woodford Green.

In the wake of calls by Cheshire Police chief constable Peter Fahy to ban outdoor drinking to combat under-age alcohol abuse and antisocial behaviour, Redbridge Safer Neighbourhood Teams say drunken yobs in public parks and streets are causing major headaches.

Church End Safer Neighbourhood Team acting Sgt Carl Peacock said his team was considering a ban in the Churchfields area following complaints from residents about youths drinking in the park.

However, police say getting the bans imposed is onerous and slow when action is needed now.

Acting Sgt Peacock said a huge amount of evidence was needed for any bid to make an outdoor area alcohol-free to be successful.

"It's not easy to get drinking bans in," he said.

The Snaresbrook team had wanted a ban imposed on High Street to combat a group of six older drunks intimidating passers-by, but Sgt Katherine O'Riordan said the process was too complicated.

It had taken two years for the ban in Ilford Town Centre to be implemented and police needed solutions now, she said.

It is also difficult to apply a ban on a street where there were numerous cafes and bars with outdoor tables and chairs for people to drink at.

"It's hard to say to someone 'pour out your drink', when you have got someone else sitting right there out in the open having a glass of wine. My opinion would be not to have any drinking at all outside in the High Street, although I know it's this café culture," she said.

Redbridge community safety committee chairman Cllr Vanessa Cole said a total culture shift was needed to combat drink-fuelled disorder.

"Drinking in this country, and drinking to an extent where you fall over or you're aggressive, seems certainly by some, to be seen as acceptable.