Commentary on Sections Part 1: Provisions for Combatting Crime and Disorder. Offences of permitting drunkenness and disorder in licensed premises and selling to drunken people Section 12: Alcohol consumption in designated public places
29.Section 12 is intended to reduce the incidence of disorder and public nuisance arising from alcohol consumption in public places. By virtue of section 13, local authorities will be able to designate areas in which it will become an offence for any person to drink alcohol after being required by a police officer not to do so. The police will also have the power to confiscate and dispose of any alcohol and containers in the person’s possession. It will be an arrestable offence to fail, without a reasonable excuse, to comply with the police officer’s request.