Commentary on Sections Part 1: Provisions for Combatting Crime and Disorder. Alcohol consumption in designated public places
22.Much disorder and public nuisance is associated with the public consumption of alcohol. The Act gives local authorities the power to designate public areas in which it will become an offence to drink alcohol after being required by a police officer not to do so. The police will have the power to require the surrender of alcohol and containers in these circumstances, and those who fail to comply with either requirement will be liable to arrest. Only those public areas where disorder or public nuisance is associated with public drinking will be designated. Where areas are designated the provisions will replace public drinking byelaws that many local authorities have adopted for this purpose. This will create more uniform and comprehensive powers.