A ban on street drinking in Leicester’s city centre – with Police powers to arrest offenders – came into operation in June 2002. In February 2007, the street drinking ban was extended.

The ban follows powers given to local authorities by the introduction of the Criminal Justice and Police Act, and the council’s desire to deal with complaints from members of the public about disorderly conduct, nuisance, criminal damage and the fear of alcohol-related violence.

The banning order gives the police arrest powers if offenders fail to comply with an officer’s requirement in respect of public drinking or surrender of alcohol.

The ban affects the following areas:

 

City Centre:

 

Upper New Walk, New Walk, Museum Square, Granby Street, Wellington Street, Calais Street, Dover Street, Town Hall Square, Horsefair Street, Every Street, The Clocktower, Gallowtree Gate, Eastgates, Humberstone Gate, Market Place, Market Place South, Dolphin Square, Cheapside, High Street, Churchgate and Gravel Street.

 

 

Mansfield Street, Sandacre Street, Short Street, Abbey Street, New Road, Belgrave Gate, Haymarket, St Peters Lane, Highcross Street, Silver Street, Loseby Lane, Peacock Lane, St. Martins, Hotel Street, Millstone Lane, Market Street, Bowling Green Street, Belvoir Street, Welford Place, York Street, Calais Hill, King Street, Princess Road West, Charles Street, Halford Street, Yeoman Street, Rutland Street, Wharf Street North, Wharf Street South, Manitoba Road, Kamloops Crescent, Western Boulevard, Narborough Road (Junction of Hinckley Road to Upperton Road), Braunstone Gate, Bishop Street.

 

 

Conduit Street, Glebe Street, Prebend Street (Including Prebend Gardens), College Street, Lincoln Street, Andover Street, London Road from Granby Street up to Evington Road (Including the pedestrian underpass), Uppingham Road Gardens.

 

 

Kinley Road, Ruddington Walk, Penkridge Walk.

 

These areas will be visibly sign posted with the effect that any one caught drinking in these areas in a non-licensed public open space can have alcohol confiscated by the Police if the officer has reason to believe the drinker will commit anti-social behaviour as a result of their drinking.

 

Licensed open spaces such as beer gardens and seating areas outside cafe's will not be effected as they are licensed. An option to suspend the ban for the duration of festivals and special events is also available to the City Council in liaison with the Police.

Street drinking complaints have arisen due to the activities of two distinct groups. In addition to casual street drinkers, there are people with mental health and behavioural disorders.

In June 2000, a Wet Day Centre was set up in the city centre for street drinkers. Experience has since shown that while the centre provides a clean and safe environment, giving homeless street drinkers access to detoxification and health services, during the warmer summer months it has proved less popular with some street drinkers, who prefer to congregate and socialise in public places.

For more information about the street drinking ban, contact the Community Safety Team.