Drunks face club and pub banning orders
DRUNKEN yobs causing trouble in pubs and clubs were today warned they could be banned from licensed premises under new powers.Suffolk Constabulary and the county's local authorities said persistent troublemakers will have civil drinking banning orders (DBOs) slapped on them if they continue to misbehave.
DRUNKEN yobs causing trouble in pubs and clubs were today warned they could be banned from licensed premises under new powers.
Suffolk Constabulary and the county's local authorities said persistent troublemakers will have civil drinking banning orders (DBOs) slapped on them if they continue to misbehave.
The orders will work in a similar way to anti-social behaviour orders.
DBOs can be put in place for anywhere between two months and two years. Anyone who breaches them could be fined up to �2,500.
The orders are being introduced as a sentencing option for magistrates on conviction.
The aim is to make use of a new tool which came into force last year to protect the public from those who misuse alcohol, while helping them address their alcohol issues.
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Pat Comber of Ipswich Barwatch welcomed the move to introduce DBOs.
She said: It's great to see another tool to help us all, police and licensees alike. People that deliberately or regularly spoil others enjoyment of the night-time economy are a blight on our society, and this new initiative helps the message go out that the sort of behaviour that would result in a DBO will not be tolerated.
Mid Suffolk licensing officer, Pc Mandy Garnham has already successfully applied for an order and expects the new legislation to have a real impact.
She said: 'The majority of people do respect alcohol and drink sensibly, but the minority who act anti-socially under the influence of alcohol can cause distress and harm to others.
'DBOs wont only be sought in connection with incidents in a public place we will apply for them in domestic situations and they can also be sought for persistent drink drivers who put people in danger.'
'The orders are about addressing behaviour, so alongside any prohibitions the court imposes, people given an Order will have the chance to complete a Positive Behaviour Intervention course.'
A DBO can be made against an individual aged at least 16 if they have engaged in criminal or disorderly conduct while under the influence of alcohol.
