§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has held on the impact of the withdrawal of authority from police to remove unopened containers of alcohol from underage youths in public areas in 2001; and if he will make a statement. [61094]
§ Mr. DenhamThe existing police powers to confiscate alcohol from under-age drinkers in public places, provided by the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997, were amended by section 29 of the Criminal
559WJustice and Police Act 2001. This makes it clear that the police can now confiscate alcohol in containers that have been opened, but not alcohol in sealed containers. This adjustment was made to ensure consistency with new police powers to confiscate alcohol from persons in designated public places, provided by section 12 of the 2001 Act.
We have discussed the effect of this change with the Association of Chief Police Officers and we have received correspondence about it from representatives of the Police Superintendents' Association, police forces and Members of Parliament.
In the light of these representations, we have asked the Association of Chief Police Officers for advice on whether a further change in the law would be helpful to clarify or strengthen police powers to confiscate alcohol from under-age drinkers.