Ban street drinking in Stockwell

Sockwell Councillors campaign for No Street Drinking Zone

A campaign from Stockwell's Labour Councillors to get street drinking banned around Stockwell Tube is bearing fruit. If implemented, this would be the first No Street Drinking Zone in Lambeth. Local Councillors Pete Bowyer, Pav Akhtar and Imogen Walker believe drinking in the street, particularly around Stockwell Tube and the Memorial Garden, is causing a rise in anti-social behaviour and damaging the reputation of the area.

Local residents have made numerous complaints about anti-social behaviour from street drinkers including urinating in public, aggressive behaviour and abusive language to local Labour councillors and the Police, and asked if anything could be done about the problem.

Last week the councillors met with Labour's Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Mark Bennett and presented evidence for a Street Drinking Ban. Councillor Bennett is now working with Lambeth officers to see if a "Designated Public Place Order" can be introduced which will make it illegal to drink alcohol in the immediate vicinity of Stockwell Tube Station and the Memorial Garden.

The idea for a street drinking ban around Stockwell Tube is strongly supported by the local Stockwell police and recently received unanimous support from the Stockwell Safer Neighbourhood Panel

Councillor Pete Bowyer, Labour Councillor in Stockwell since August 2003
said:

"The area around Stockwell Tube station is the main crime hotspot in Stockwell. At the moment there are simply too many alcohol related incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour taking place in the area.
We know this is not a magic wand that will solve all of these problems, but it is a necessary first step."

"Persistent street drinkers often have associated drug and mental health problems that the authorities also need to provide help with. But stopping people drinking on the streets will make a difference. Tackling crime is the number one priority of the new Labour Council and Labour Councillors in Stockwell are delighted that the Cabinet Member for Community Safety is now introducing a ban."

Councillor Mark Bennett, Labour's Cabinet Member for Community Safety
said:

"The local police and local councillors have made a good case to me that a street drinking ban around Stockwell Tube will improve the area. I see it as my job to support them in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and so I will now instruct officers to bring in a local ban.

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