Booze Asbos won't change behaviour

The formal police position was one of support for the new measures. They would offer another string to their bow in dealing with the minority of "mostly young people who are usually well known in particular areas or local hotspots". But others within senior echelons of the police service have expressed concern about their likely impact; indeed, the initiative is viewed as yet one more in a never-ending series of government announcements that seem to be conforming to the law of diminishing returns.

This particular initiative has drawn fire from groups as disparate as civil liberties organisations and the Magistrates' Association, while support has come from equally disparate groups such as the drinks industry and Alcohol Concern. In fact, there is probably not so much between all commentators when you disentangle intention from implementation. Many agree that drinking in public space does produce unacceptable levels of aggression and disorder, and that some mixture of tough enforcement and individual support is necessary. Few agree on quite how such aspirations can be achieved - and the area where the research evidence is most unequivocal, the price and availability of alcohol, seems to be a no-go for the government.