Responsible Drinking Borough

Plans to give the council and police new powers to tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour were given the green light by Tower Hamlets Council.

This decision follows the overwhelmingly positive response to the council-led consultation to introduce a Responsible Drinking Borough (RDB), with 84 per cent of respondents backing the plans.

The RDB does not ban people from drinking in public, but provides the council and police with the power to react quickly and effectively to drunken troublemakers. It will equip the Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) and the police with the powers to stop people and to demand, confiscate, and dispose of any alcohol within the boundaries of Tower Hamlets.

The RDB will be introduced in September, 2011. Signs will be placed at key points, including entrances to the borough and transport hubs, across Tower Hamlets.  

The new RDB puts a stop to this and will prepare the borough for the impact of the increased visitors during London 2012.

Questions and answers

What is a Responsible Drinking Borough?

It simply means that the Police and the council's enforcement officers have powers to stop people drinking and to seize alcohol from people causing anti-social behaviour.

What happens if they don't stop drinking or hand over their alcohol?

The law says that anyone who fails to stop drinking or surrender their alcohol after being asked to do so by the Police or Council Enforcement Officers can then be arrested and face a court fine of up to £500.

Will this stop me from drinking outside a pub or in my own garden?

No, it only applies to public places such as parks and will only be enforced when people drinking are causing anti-social behaviour.

Why do we need to have one?

Alcohol related anti-social behaviour and crime are a major issue across Tower Hamlets. This power enables officers to tackle it anywhere in the borough.

Where does it cover?

It covers the whole of Tower Hamlets but does not cover people's private property (gardens), private land or inside licensed premises during or 30 minutes after closing time.