Thanks to local Liberal Democrats, from March 2014, the police will have new powers to help crack down on drink-related crime and anti-social behaviour.

Liberal Democrat councillors on Kingston Town Neighbourhood Committee have agreed to a zone stretching from Canbury Gardens to High Street, where alcohol will be controlled under a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) and police can confiscate alcohol in parts of Kingston town centre.

The proposal has been brought about thanks to local Liberal Democrats listening to concerns from the police. From March the police will be able to force anyone in possession of alcohol behaving anti-socially within the designated public area, to stop and hand it over under threat of arrest.

Cllr Hitchcock believes the police now need better resources from City Hall to help enforce these new powers.

Lib Dem Councillor Chrissie Hitchcock, Kingston Town Neighbourhood Committee chair, said:

“This isn’t a ban on drinking. We’re not stopping people enjoying a glass of wine with their picnics in the park. We’re acting to protect people from the nuisance of drink-fuelled, anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhood.”

“The police have asked for these powers but now the Tories at City hall who hold the purse strings need to ensure the police have the resources to enforce it.”

“Liberal Democrats on Kingston council have been leading the way on cutting crime, and the success of our partnership working is setting an example for the rest of London. But City hall Tories could put all this at risk if they won’t even give the police what they need to look after our high streets.”