HL Deb 09 June 2003 vol 649 c6WA
Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they propose to extend the fixed penalty notice system to drunkenness and other anti-social behaviour. [HL2985]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Provisions in the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 allow police officers to issue fixed penalty notices for specified offences of disorder, which penalise a variety of antisocial behaviours including drunkenness. These provisions have been piloted and my right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced on 14 May that they are now to be extended to all forces in England and Wales.

Community support officers will also be able to issue these penalty notices and the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill seeks to allow persons accredited by chief constables to issue them for some anti-social offending. The Bill also seeks to include 16 and 17 year-olds in the scheme through a pilot at first. The Government hope to add additional offences involving anti-social behaviour to the scheme later this year.