Anti-social behaviour helper

Summary of the problem

Street drinking, involving individuals or groups of people drinking alcohol in a public place, can intimidate people, cause disorder and nuisance, and degrade a public space so that it becomes a ‘no go’ area for residents and the community.

Tackling the problem is likely to depend on who is causing the nuisance, for example if it involves underage drinking, if it's linked to other problems involving intimidation of passersby (see the section on intimidating groups hanging around) or if it involves older groups who are passing the day drinking on the street.

Who you can report the problem to

• Report the problem to your Anti-social Behaviour Coordinator, Team or local Neighbourhood Policing Team. Use our postcode search to find local contact details

• If problems are outside your home or on your estate, and if you are the tenant of a social landlord (the council or a housing association), report it to your landlord

• You can also report the problem to the police using the local force non-emergency number. Find your local number here

• If the situation is an emergency (if someone’s life or health is threatened) call 999

If you are unsure what to do or who to speak to, contact your anti-social behaviour team. Use our postcode search to find local contact details. If they are not directly responsible they will be able to help you to find who is.

What can be done to deal with street drinking problems?

The type of action that can be taken will depend on the nature of the problem. For example, police and council action can be taken against the shop or pub selling alcohol to underage drinkers. The council and police can also take action against individuals and deal with areas that have become degraded through street drinking. Action may include:

• Issuing warnings to those causing nuisance

• Issuing on-the-spot fines

• Arresting individuals for drunk or disorderly behaviour

• Using acceptable behaviour contracts or agreements (ABCs/ABAs) requiring individuals to stop behaving anti-socially

• If problems persist, use anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) to stop individuals from going to certain places. If ASBOs are used, the terms of the order should usually be made public so that members of the public can report any breaches

• As an alternative to ASBOs a drink banning order can be use to remove drunken individuals from certain areas. These can only be used for criminal or disorderly conduct while under the influence of alcohol

• Setting up an Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) which allows the police to confiscate alcohol in that designated area

• Using dispersal orders –the police can designate certain areas which have suffered persistent anti-social behaviour, allowing the police to disperse groups where problems continue

These are just some of the measures available. Whatever action is taken, you should expect the council or the police to keep you informed.