News

SHEPWAY BINGE DRINKERS FACE CHRISTMAS HANGOVER

Local drinkers who have one too many over the festive period face on-the-spot fines of £80 in a new crackdown by police.

The nationwide campaign between the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers runs until January 3 and will target revellers who display violent or anti-social behaviour.

Fines will be issued to those who fight, urinate in doorways or are sick on the street. Underage drinking will also be clamped down upon.

The aim is to stop binge drinkers turning Britain's town centres into no-go-zones on Friday and Saturday nights.

During the first phase of the campaign back in the summer the levels of serious street violence decreased in the 92 policing areas that took part.

Many pubs also abandoned 'all you can drink' promotions and reviewed their policies on not serving alcohol to under-18s.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "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."