Drunk and disorderly Britons face being banned from their local pubs and off licences for up to two years under tough new rules introduced by the government on Monday.
Drunk and disorderly Britons face being banned from their local pubs and off licences for up to two years under tough new rules introduced by the government on Monday.
Courts will be able to impose conditions on people who regularly commit crime or anti-social behaviour while drunk -- and can fine them up to 2,500 pounds if they do not comply."These orders will stop those people who are well known to the authorities, licencees and often the communities where they live, from ruining lives and will make them face up to their destructive behaviour," said Home Office minister Alan Campbell.
The measure is a variation on the anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) which magistrates can already impose on people -- often teenagers -- and include conditions such as banning them from certain places at certain times.
However, opposition politicians and civil liberties campaigners dismissed it as a "gimmick" that failed to address the causes of offending.
"How many times can you spin a new 'crackdown' without tackling the causes of offending behaviour?" said Isabella Sankey, director of policy for campaign group Liberty.
"It will be Jelly Bean Asbos for sugared-up kids next. Surely it's time to call last orders on endless new legislation."
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