Revellers risk £80 fine


Drunken Christmas and New Year revellers will face tough action from police under the second phase of the Home Office's alcohol crackdown.

More than 180 areas across England and Wales are taking part in the campaign which runs until January 3 - double the number in the summer scheme which led to more than 5,600 arrests.

Police have tougher powers to deal with drunken yobs than in the first phase.

They can now impose on-the-spot fines for buying or selling alcohol to under-18s, and the penalty for drunk and disorderly behaviour has been increased from £50 to £80.

Licensing minister Richard Caborn said: "The message is stark and simple - if you brawl in the street, urinate in a doorway or are sick in the kerb, you could be slapped with a £80 fine.

"We're not messing around - we want decent, law-abiding people to be able to get home safely from their Christmas and New Year's parties."

Home Office minister Hazel Blears said: "We know that the concerted blitz to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence and sales to under-18s over the summer worked.

"The levels of serious violence decreased in the 92 policing areas that took part and many in the alcohol industry were prompted to act more responsibly, abandoning 'all you can drink' type promotions and reviewing their policies on not serving alcohol to under-18s.

"But we are not complacent, we know there are still widespread and serious problems."

She added: "Christmas is a time when people should be able to have a few drinks and enjoy themselves, but that should not be an excuse for violent and anti-social behaviour by a minority, spoiling enjoyment for everyone else."