CAMBRIDGE City Council is proposing to introduce a byelaw to control drinking in public places when it is linked to anti-social behaviour. It has given its citizens one week to comment, by 3rd December, and most of them will only know this if they happen to look at the council’s website:
 http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/councillors/byelawnotice.htm

New powers under the byelaw:
The Police would be able to stop people from drinking alcohol in public places if they were causing, or were likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to other members of the public. In addition the Police would have the power to confiscate their alcohol. If people did not comply with instructions from the Police to stop drinking or to hand over their alcohol they could be liable to a fine.

Powers of arrest:
The Police would have powers of arrest if the person:

* Did not have a satisfactory address for service of a summons or was incapable or unwilling to give their name and address

* Causing physical injury to him/herself or any other person

* Was suffering physical injury

* Causing loss or damage to property

* Committing an offence against public decency

* Causing an unlawful obstruction of the highway

* Or to protect a child or other vulnerable individuals from that person.

Other powers:
All other existing powers of enforcement against alcohol-related anti-social behaviour would continue to apply.

Scope:
The byelaw would only apply to public places in the City and not to licensed premises such as pubs and clubs.