4:08pm Saturday 7th July 2012
By Alexandra Rucki
Street drinkers are being clamped down on with plans to create alcohol free zones.
Wandsworth Council and police are proposing to create the zones within the wards of Tooting and Graveney.
The move comes in response to reports from members of the public about a group of street drinkers, who have been fighting, intimidating others and urinating in public.
Officers would have the power to instruct people to stop drinking in designated public places, as well as confiscate their alcohol.
Anyone refusing could receive an on-the-spot fine or face legal action.
Tooting High Street, Upper Tooting Road and Streatham Cemetery could all be affected by the plans, which will remain in place for 12 months.
The council has said alcohol free zones will help businesses in the area, with traders claiming they have loss trade due to street drinkers hanging around outside their shops.
Councillor Jonathan Cook, the council’s community safety spokesman, said: "There may only be a relatively small group of problem drinkers in Tooting and Graveney, but their street drinking is unpleasant and unwelcome.
"Business and residents are clearly suffering because of their presence. At times their behaviour – fighting in public and intimidating others has even forced police to intervene.
"We want to establish these zones to bring an end to such incidents. At the same time, we will of course be renewing efforts to enrol these street drinkers in alcohol treatment programmes."
Efforts have been made to help enrol the drinkers in alcohol treatment programmes, with outreach workers encouraging people to attend drop in surgeries.
Police have also referred people with housing problems to London Street Rescue and they have been given temporary shelter.
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