Only One in Three Councils Consider Adopting Alcohol Disorder Zones
Ahead of the introduction of Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) today, a new survey carried out by the Local Government Association has found that only one in three councils are considering using ADZs to tackle alcohol-related disorder.
The survey of 182 councils in England and Wales, carried out by TNS, found that 33% were not going to adopt ADZs, 34% were going to and 33% were still to decide. The survey also revealed that almost a quarter of councils (24%) said they expected to recoup the costs of operating ADZs through the charging regime, while 41% said they did not.
A quarter of respondents, even those planning to introduce the new zones, either did not know what their effect would be, or anticipated that their effect would be nil.
Councils that do intend to go ahead with ADZs are mainly motivated by a wish to reduce alcohol-related incidents and bad behaviour, although a quarter of the sample said the main attraction of the new arrangements were that they would give the police and themselves more power to act.
Commenting on the findings, Chairman of the Local Government Association Sir Simon Milton said: “The survey demonstrates that while there will be councils using these measures, there are many that remain unconvinced of the benefits of introducing Alcohol Disorder Zones in their part of the world. While these zones are an extra tool in the arsenal for councils and police to help combat drunken and rowdy behaviour, they will not be a cure-all for the booze culture.”
Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said: “We have listened carefully to the views of all our partners to ensure that ADZs complement existing powers and are used only as a measure of last resort.
“In rare cases where voluntary agreements and other tactical options have not worked, local authorities must ensure that ADZs are fair, equitable and effective. We will be keeping a careful watch to see that they are.”
He added: 'If businesses cause alcohol-related crime and disorder it is right that they should contribute to the extra costs of policing it. ADZs are another tool for local authorities and the police to tackle problem premises and clamp down on alcohol-fuelled disorder.”