Plans have been unveiled to afford officers in Cambridge special powers to help control street drinking, primarily amongst groups of young people.

The problem of alcohol related disorder has been escalating recently, something which is primarily attributed to street drinking. In the six months preceding February, police recorded 906 incidences of anti-social behaviour. Issues have included vomiting and urination in the streets, as well as violence and vandalism. Furthermore, in a survey, Cambridge News found that a third of local businesses felt that the disruption was adversely affecting trade.

No discernible cause has been held responsible for the rise in anti-social behaviour. However the increasing number of ‘street sleepers’ is perceived by officials working in the homeless outreach networks to be exacerbating tensions. There are fears that as summer approaches and people socialise more in public outdoor spaces the problem will increase.

In attempt to resolve matters the Section 30 orders would extend the existing police power to disperse those likely to commit drink related crime. There is also talk of extending the powers to Community Support Officers as well. With these new measures, the police could legitimately disperse people wherever harassment or alarm is feared. If approved, they could be in use around the city centre and the Grafton.

The move is welcomed by some. John Fenton of Cambridge Crepes in Sidney Street, thought that the plan could be ‘brilliant’ if enforced in an appropriate manner. However there are concerns about the infringement of civil liberties. Councillor Pogonowski, the Green leader in Cambridge City Council, fears that the powers would largely just affect ‘ordinary people’.

The ambiguity in the wording of the act is concerning for some, it relies on the officer’s personal perception of the threat posed by groups of people. The powers would enable officers not only to disperse groups, but to prevent any members who did not live in the area from returning for a period up to 24 hours.

Whilst Section 30 orders have been used temporarily and effectively in Cambridge previously, the national context of hostility to protest is making some uneasy about how the extra powers afforded to officers might be used. The move could be seen as a continuation of the restriction upon civil liberties that began with the ‘anti-terror’ legislation of the previous administration.