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THE METRO will be a booze free zone by Christmas when operator Nexus introduces Alcohol Exclusion Zones on all Metro property from December 6. The zones will make it a criminal offence to be in possession of an open container of alcohol anywhere on the network. Offenders will be liable to have alcohol confiscated and could face fines of up to £500. Bylaws already in place allow Nexus to prosecute rowdy drunks, but the new Alcohol Exclusion Zone order will strengthen those powers by allowing the train operator to remove anyone found in possession of an open container of alcohol, regardless of whether or not they are causing trouble. For the most part, the ban will be enforced by the police, but Nexus’ newly appointed Travel Support Officers will also be empowered to eject anyone caught flouting the law. Police have welcomed the new powers, saying they will help them police the system more effectively. Sergeant Neil Harvey, of the Metro Police Unit, said: "These powers will be far more robust than the existing bylaws. "If officers see someone drinking alcohol or what is reasonably believed to be alcohol they can require the person to stop drinking. The alcohol can be seized and disposed of, while failure to comply without reasonable excuse is an arrestable offence." "We often encounter problems with drunken adults on the system or adults who are drinking alcohol but aren't drunk. Now it doesn't matter whether they are an adult or a youth or whether they are drunk or not. "If they are drinking, intend to drink, or have been drinking, these powers will help us deal with them. "We always wanted to have this zone place well before the party season of Christmas and New Year so the public have had time to get used to it." Police will seek an Anti-Social Behaviour Order from the courts if someone repeatedly offends under this legislation and continues to commit disorder offences. A local authority can designate a no-alcohol area if it is satisfied nuisance or annoyance to members to the public or disorder has been associated with drinking alcohol. The booze ban scheme was pioneered by North Tyneside Council, which applied to the Government Office for the North East (GONE) for approval in principle before going ahead. Subsequently all the other four Tyne and Wear local authorities came on board. All four signed up, believing the ban would be another weapon in the fight against town centre crime. Alcohol Exclusion Zones will allow each council to impose a booze ban in designated areas such as town and city centres, where drink often fuels rowdy behaviour. In effect, Nexus piggybacked the initiative and lent its support to the case for the ban that is expected to go before the Home Office for final approval at the end of the month. Before the ban can come into effect, however, all five local authorities are obliged to give notice to people that it is to be implemented. That process will be complete on November 29. Nexus’ Director General Mike Parker, said: “Including Metro in the ban on the consumption of alcohol in some public places will undoubtedly help us rid the system of the kind of anti-social behaviour we're working hard to combat. “Although alcohol related offences are rare on the Metro, and especially offences involving someone who is drinking at the time of the offence, the ban will help us keep the system safe - particularly in the run-up to Christmas, when drink can sometimes fuel trouble.”
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