Police call 'time' on Newbury's street drinkers

From now on, town centre patrol teams will be enforcing the Habitual Drunkard legislation under the Inebriates Act 1898. The Victorian Act targeted ‘habitual drunkards’ whose offences typically included being drunk in charge of a horse, carriage and even a steam engine.
Issued a century ago, the drunks were given the equivalent of modern- day ASBOS, being banned from buying alcohol.
However, the Act was never repealed – and to this day, under it, anyone convicted of drinking in a public place three times will be banned from buying alcohol for three years.
The Act also considers it an offence for shop owners to sell alcohol to a banned individual.
Sergeant Andy Bone, of Newbury police, said the operation was sparked by complaints from shoppers and businesses, and would be carried out in conjunction with partner agencies the BID team and West Berkshire Council.
Sgt Bone conceded that the current order banning public drinking was being flouted and said: “We hope the operation will encourage street drinkers to reassess their lifestyle choices and engage with agencies offering treatment and support.
“We understand that alcoholism is a medical condition but we want to reduce drinking in public. If we don’t arrest anyone and street drinking stops then we’d be happy, but we will prosecute people if we have to.
Street drinking has become a particular problem in a number of town centre locations, such as the churchyard of St Nicolas’ Church, the Eight Bells Arcade and Bartholomew Street.
The Rev. Will Hunter Smart, of St Nicolas’ Church, said: “We had a number of problems over the summer with antisocial behaviour. We’ve been working with the police to address these issues.”
Letters are being handed out to identify street drinkers to inform them of Operation Fortify.
Sgt Bone and his team believe that enforcement of the Act could be adopted by other forces.
Landlord of The Coopers Arms, Bartholomew Street, David Reid said: “I’ve have had a running battle to tell street drinkers to get away from the front of my pub for years.
“I have to ensure that my customers don’t cause problems or leave my pub with alcohol so street drinkers should also be stopped.”
Owner of Rio’s burger bar in Bartholomew Street, Mark Lynas, said street drinkers had caused numerous problems, including a smashed window.
Complaints about street drinkers were initially made to BID Rangers, who started work in the town in August.
Newbury’s BID managing director Russell Downing said: “We wanted to establish a way forward rather than merely moving people to different parts of the town. Hopefully now we have a long-term solution to the problem.
“This is a great example of collaborative work between the BID team, Thames Valley Police and West Berkshire Council.”