Controlled drinking zones

The Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives new powers to police and councils to tackle anti-social behaviour. It also replaces existing Dog Control Orders (DCO’s) and Designated Public Place Orders (DPPO’s) with Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s).

Islington Council has completed this process and has converted the previous borough-wide DPPO to a PSPO with the same conditions. In practical terms this transfer will see no difference in the regulation and enforcement of the consumption of alcohol in a public place in Islington.

The PSPO does not ban drinking in a public place unless there is, or there is likely to be, associated anti-social behaviour. A breach of the order only takes place when an individual refuses to surrender their alcohol to a police officer or other designated enforcement officer.

It is not an offence to consume alcohol in a public place unless a person has been properly directed to stop.

The purpose of the order remains to support a reduction in alcohol-related violent crime and anti-social behaviour and in doing so create a safer Islington where residents and visitors feel reassured.

The maximum penalty for failure to comply with a PSPO is £1000.