Press Releases

Alcohol seizures down as Hanwell no-drink zone takes effect (PR 945)

The number of drinkers caught boozing on Hanwell’s streets has fallen since Ealing Council introduced a controlled drinking zone in the area last October. 

Police made just 17 alcohol seizures last month and 18 in both January and December, compared to 34 in November.

Introduced by Ealing Council, in partnership with police, the CDZ covers a broad area; from the Grand Union Canal in the west, to St Mary’s Road in Ealing in the east. Its northern boundary follows the railway line and Uxbridge Road, and it stretches as far south as Windermere Road and Trumpers Way.

Councillor Sue Emment, cabinet member for safer communities, said: “In its first three months, the controlled drinking zone has delivered welcome relief for local residents and business owners who were persistently harassed by drunks.

“It has also been a wake-up call for many of the street drinkers themselves who have accepted help from outreach workers. Some are now taking significant steps towards sobriety and recovery.

“We are keen to see this positive impact continue and will monitor the ongoing effectiveness of the zone and maintain enforcement as we move into the warmer summer months.
 
“Street drinking is threatening and alarming for the majority of law-abiding residents and we are committed to cracking down on this problem and the anti-social behaviour it generates.”
Building safer communities is one of the council’s three priorities. The council’s other two priorities are cleaner streets and providing value for money services.

The zone is enforced by local Safer Neighbourhood police teams and supported by the council’s community safety officers and St Mungo’s outreach workers.

Sergeant Simon Young, of Elthorne Safer Neighbourhood team, said the team had seen fewer street drinkers on the streets, especially in the Dean Gardens area.

“We think the regular street drinkers are starting to get the message and the zone is definitely helping us to reduce the problem and make the local community safer.

“Of course there are always those who hide their cans and bottles when they see us coming but we know who the problem drinkers are and won’t hesitate to demand and confiscate their alcohol.

“We have been working closely with the St Mungo’s outreach team to help them get the help they need to sober up.”
 
The St Mungo’s outreach team works with street drinkers to help get them off the streets. Workers help them to find housing, address physical and mental health issues and build self-esteem.

Lucy Rowatt, manager of the St Mungo’s outreach team, said: “One of the biggest problems street drinkers have is that when they find themselves in this situation they don’t know the way out – it is very difficult to find secure housing, stop drinking and find employment, many don't know where to start and without support from our team people feel hopeless and keep drinking.  It is a vicious cycle we see day after day.

“We help people access alcohol detoxification in hospital, and ongoing rehabilitation, as well as work and learning services.  It is also a priority to ensure that there is a smooth, unbroken transition from rehab into safe and secure accommodation so that they do not return to a street lifestyle.

“Each individual success story of this scheme means a meaningful improvement not only for the individual but for the community as a whole.  By working in partnership, we can make a lasting difference to every member of our community.”

Local business manager David Job, who runs the long-established family business A Cain Funeral Services Ltd, said street drinkers had “drastically affected the business” before the controlled drinking zone took effect.

“Groups of seven or eight would gather in the bus stop outside my business, so out of their head with drink.

“There would be foul language, noise and fights or scuffles when one knocked over another’s drink. I found it very intimidating.

“Between Ealing Council and the police, this restricted area has made a marvellous improvement.”

Within the zone, police can require a person to stop drinking and surrender any intoxicating liquor. If a person fails to hand over alcohol and continues to drink, he or she can be arrested. The maximum penalty is £500.