This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New byelaws to tackle alcohol related disorder
14/12/2006
The City of Edinburgh Council has been given the go-ahead to introduce a ban on the consumption of alcohol in public places from January 8, 2007.
Following a request from the council, Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson has granted permission for the introduction of the ban to help crackdown on alcohol related disorder and antisocial behaviour in the City.
Ms Jamieson said:
"Irresponsible public drinking can be a nuisance for law-abiding citizens and impact on their quality of life.
"The 27 councils in Scotland who have already introduced such byelaws have paid testimony to their effectiveness in reducing nuisance and disorder commonly associated with public drinking. Measures which alongside new powers and resources to tackle antisocial behaviour are bringing much needed peace and quiet to local communities.
"I want to support the City of Edinburgh Council in its efforts with the local police to tackle the problem of alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in the City. That's why I have given my backing to the new byelaws, and why I will continue to support similar requests from other councils.
"Of course Edinburgh is a major international cultural and tourist attraction. We need to ensure that there is a balance struck between providing amenities and attractions for visitors and ensuring a good quality of life for those living here all year long. I am reassured that new protocols - drawn up between the police and the City of Edinburgh Council - will achieve this.
"People want to see crime falling, offenders punished, and individuals taking responsibility for their own actions. We have listened to those concerns and together with our wider reforms to licensing legislation, and the new broader provisions in the ASB Act, these byelaws demonstrate that we are on their side and are determined to help."
Background:
Following a successful experiment in the use of byelaws to prohibit drinking in designated parts of Galashiels, Motherwell and Dundee, other local authorities were invited in 1993 to submit proposals for similar byelaws under powers contained in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
To date 27 local councils across Scotland already have such byelaws, which cover more than 480 towns and villages, together with the built up areas within the cities of Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen.
The City of Edinburgh byelaw will cover the entire council area. It will mean that anyone drinking in a public place would be required to stop drinking if asked to do so by the police.
If that individual refuses then he or she would be committing an offence and the police would have the power to arrest him or her. If convicted, the individual could be fined up to £500.