I am 40 years old in my life i have witnessed so much Anger and violence because of alcohol IE my mother died at 44 of alcohol abuse my brother and sisters are alcoholics i once saved a drunk man tumbling down an escalator ,i witnist a horrible alcohol related punch up on a mid day London train drunk youths were punching each other in the face the whole carriage was screaming,this is just to name a few..

Ban ALCOHOL totally .......

Carl, London,

Police; what would you do with them?
"You want fries with that?"

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan

Given that the Police don't come out for underage drinkers when I call them at the moment, why would they come out for underage drinkers who aren't allowed to drink in public? And is drink always a factor in these murders? If they haven't been drinking, then will packs of feral youths not be moved on by the Police? Also, how is it that there are never enough Police to come out to calls to prevent tragedies such as this, but then there are busloads of them after the event to stand around? This man is barking up the wrong tree.
I take responsibility for my own children, but expect the Police to take it when others are misbehaving and their parents don't care. Where are the Police?
This is a classic restriction of liberty suggested by police who seem to be obsessed with doing as little as possible. Prevention is not a word on their minds - only inadequate cure after the event. The police alienate everyone by staying in their stations and cars far too much. Get out on the street!

Stuart, Worthing, UK

This is an ill-though out proposal which will have an impact on responsible, law-abiding people. Why should having a glass of wine at a picnic be made illegal in an attempt to solve an anti-social behaviour problem.
I think that the emphasis is completley wrong here. It is not drinking alcohol in public places that is causing a problem. It is the irresponsible drinking of alcohol that is the problem. The police already have plenty laws to deal with anyone who is drunk and disorderly in a public place. I think it would be better to use the existing laws to the full and actually patrol the areas in question rather than limiting yet more of our simple freedoms.

Iain Martin, Dundee, Angus

Laws do nothing unless enforced, all of my metropolitan bourough has a drinking ban, and yes, it stops me and friends having a few beers in the park on a sunny afternoon.

Doesnt stop the gangs of drunk kids, gangs of drunk adults, or anyone who actualy causes a problem whilst drinking in the streets from doing so.

Simply because the police wont, and to a degree cant, deal with 15 drunk adults looking for a fight,

100 new laws wont change that, 100's of new police officers may

Dominic, Manchester, UK

The question that Mr Fahy needs to address is, why aren't his officers out actively patrolling the streets ? And looking for congregations of youths. He acknowledges that they exist. Why not target them ? If his officers lack the courage, then the good citizens of Warrington really are up the creek.

RJA, Nottingham, England, UK.

i'm all for this ban on drinking in public places - sod all these liberal types who go on about people having a bottle of wine with a picnic - sure certain parks/places can apply for liscences to allow alcohol to be drunk on their land.
too many people aged between 12 and above are drinking on the streets these days and we all know the types of people we are talking about - most are basically scumbags who dont usually have a job and are basically getting too much money off the state by fiddling their benefits to fund their pathetic and unlawful drinking habit - time to rid the streets of scumbags and let the decent, law abiding folk walk around without fear of being abused, mugged or assaulted.

BTW - no idea how its going to be policed as our local authority already has this policy, yet I see plenty of people abusing the 'law' - i just fancied a moan about it!

Mike W., Stockport,

This is the problem, the police are not good enough, so we loose our rights.

My thoughts are that the police are just twonks. Wasting money and resources because the twonks at the top should have been got rid of years ago.

What more can a man say.

I am glad I live in France. I wasted vitually all my life in Big Bro, sorry I mean Blighty.

Dai, Pontypridd, Wales.

Again another half baked policy, sensible in parts but by no means comprehensive. By all means ban drinking in public this can do no harm but increasing the price of alcohol will just increase the crime rate. The problem is that alcohol is to easy to get hold of. In my teenage years (I am now 50) there were 2 places within a mile radius where I could buy drink (other than pubs). Today there are at least a dozen shops plus 2 filling stations that sell drink. Kids stand outside these places and pressure passers-by to buy drink for them or the "oldest" in the group buys it and they consume it on the streets. Reduce off-licences and there may well be a reduction in the type of crime we have seen in Warrington. But we must really think of having a real and joined up policy rather than spouting the odd idea here and there. Drinking age to 21, was it not this government that introduced 24 hour drinking a few years ago?

DN, Chorley, Lancashire

I want to know why its always 'young people' who are victimised in this sort of thing? I'm 18 myself and I don't go out and get hammered every night and I have only done it once and am not gonna do it again and all my friends are of the same opinion! But what i do see in clubs and pubs are people in their late 20s- early 30s getting absolutely out of their heads drunk for a laugh! and who has heard of many people who have become alcoholics when they are in their teens/early twenties? not many, they all people in their 30s/40's! so I think the first thing to do is get rid of this prejudice and get off the backs of younger people!

Its not the law that needs changing its people attitudes and our culture that needs changing!

Danny, Bingley, West Yorkshire

Yes, yes, yes. Ban drinking in public. Make people who want to drink do it in licensed premises. I live in Toronto Canada, no one drinks on the street or in the park. There are no beer cans or broken bottles in my child's play ground. It is not a perfect society, but general binge drinking is not as threatening and ugly as it is in the UK. Reclaim the streets!

Tina Barclay, toronto, Canada

Id be in favor of an out right ban of alcohol, cannbis is illegal and does not cause the mindless voilenece many alcohol drinkers do when drunk, so why the hell is alcohol not illegal exactly!?

I hate both, never drink and have never taken drugs.

Daniel, Bham,

And to think that we had nuclear weapons trained on the former Soviet Union in order to defend our liberty!

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

A good example of why you wouldn't want the police running the country.

Bob Hale, New Forest,

The laws we have are more than adequate. However, Judges, CPS and other bodies would not use these powers. Thus the police become disenchanted with the system and give up. If the judges started handing out sentances that acted as a deterrant then these mindless little yobs would not be on the streets terrorising the public and wasting police time.
Or, alternatively, how about prosecuting parents for not controlling their children.

E. Mann, Warwick, U.K

I really can't believe it's legal to drink on roads. Banning it would go a long way to solving these problems. Responsible people enjoy a drink in a pub... it's in the streets that the irresponsible and underage drinking occurs.

Sorry, but I really can't believe I can legally walk down my street swigging a can of beer, or hang round with a group of mates on the corner, all drinking.

Ben, Wirral,

This is depressing. Is Mr Fahy hinting that the police are losing control of the streets of Warrington ? How I long for a goverment that genuinely stands for tougher policing of our streets.

wonderer, Warrington, England

I am 70 years old/young. Can somebody please tell me when I and thousands of others like me are going to get our property, roads, avenues and streets back from these loutish, drunken young people, who are able to commit acts of violence, mindless destruction and sadly, kill innocent people, who seek only to defend their property and their right to decide their way of life?
Where has it all gone wrong?

nev Jackson, Greater Manchester, UK

Were they probably black too Tony ? Perhaps immigrants ? Why try to involve drugs when that is not the issue ? Is it because it suits your agenda ? Shame when people can't focus on the issue and instead try to twist events to suit their own prejudices .
My guess is you probably like a drink ...

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Tony , your comments are as ignorant as the police chiefs !

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Why not fragment the UK into Regions - none smoker, smokers, smokers who need alcohol to stimulate their minds against Authority, etc etc. There again why not elect ENGLAND as being the most irrate Country and the most stupidist of people on this Earth while Brown's in Power!. Fahy works for Brown NOW so whos his allegiance towards?.

Mr P Dale, Crewe, Cheshire

if shops are selling to underage drinkers, stop them from selling alcohol. the problem is deeper than this though. more police on the streets would help. more for kids to do would help, perhaps stop turning playgrounds and football pitches into housing estates and shopping malls, not surprising this statement came out during the school holidays. better education system (that shouldnt be too hard). instill respect into our younger members of society. ability for the nhs to charge if your drunken state is responsible for any injuries. appropriate punsihments for crimes. crazy idea this, but, make prison an uncomfortable place to be. it would appear there is no quick fix solution for the ills of our society. plus the laws already exist to deal with all this, would hope a chief constable knew this. one more> better training on the law for police.

J 27, kent,

The British are RENOUNED WORLDWIDE as being Civilised, having MANNERS and being TOLERANT towards having their RIGHTS violated!. Historically the British are ALSO known to REVOLT against THOSE whos DICTATORSHIP tresspasses a certain threshold of SANITY. What exactly is CIVILISATION then?. Being a SMOKER and CIVILISED i RESPECT the RIGHTS of OTHERS and smoke away from them YET the Authority sees fit to BAN it in places that I inhabit!. Peter Fahy's intentions INFER that the BRITISH PUBLIC are somewhat an UNCIVILISED bunch of BRATS [ in being commoners ] whom don't deserve any RESPECT!. Fahy needs to reconsider his position since hes totally forgotton whom his paymasters are - they being the General Public, should he be able to recall that!. Obviousely when one is at the top of a ladder its very difficult to see whats on the ground anymore but people ladders are so often frought by gravity which brings one down to Earth with a large bump!.

Mr P Dale, Crewe, Cheshire

"He blamed parents, drinks companies and the advertising industry for failing to tackle the problem of alcohol-fuelled disorder."

What a quaint little country. You have a man kicked to death, 15 on 1, a vicious murder by any standard. But some nitwit calls it an “alcohol-fuelled disorder.” So now you all carry on a debate about proscribing alcohol.

Why not just buy the boys a beer and toast the poor dead fellow's health?

MCJ, Greenville, SC, USA

This country becomes more Puritanical by the day. Ban this, ban that - it's all so indiscriminate. So now the law-abiding will fear the Police? If this becomes law I suggest we ALL go out buy a can of beer and drink it in public and let's see how that is policed. Those charged should insist on their day in Court and claim it is their human right to drink alcohol in public as long they are not a public nuisance. It would be much better if this ridiculous Policeman got his men and women together and had them patrol in areas where it is known that these youngsters congregate. Under age children out on their own and under the influence? Charge the parents. Start policing properly and LEAVE THE LAW ABIDING ALONE. WE DON'T WANT A POLICE STATE.

Ian Burgess, Bristol,

Ban it. Ban it now.
Ban what?
Everything: smoking, drinking, driving, eating, thinking.
It's all dangerous and will kill us. The police are so over manned they will be able in enforce all the new bans with no extra effort.

Yeah, right.


How about policing the more than adequate laws we already have?
How about the cops getting out of their cars and walking around a neighbourhood?
How about reinstalling the mediaeval approach to anti social behaviour?
The stocks and pillory were used to humiliate offenders, and that's the worst thing that can happen to anti social offenders, public humiliation, locked up in public on a saturday so that everyone can see who's causing all the local grief before they start killing people.

Russ, Bedford, UK

Heaven protect our right to drink beer in the park (and hey, bring back smoking, and let me be as clinically obese as I wish ! )

I wonder what the NHS and police would be able to do with the money they currently spend on issues related to alcohol-based sickness, violence, and criminal damage. Still, as long as we have the freedom to treat ourselves, each other, and our society with exactly as much contempt as we wish..

Steven Rainbird, London,

"At the moment you can drink anywhere you like in Great Britain in public unless the local authority have designated that you can’t drink in that area,"

It would be a shame to change the law and have, for example, unneccessary restrictions on a family picnic with a bottle of wine.

Instead, why not encourage local authorities to apply the current law sensibly to forbid drinking in the streets or any other (specified) inappropriate place.

Sue, Pontypridd, Wales

In my view too much scrutiny has been done on smoking and motorists by taxes on taxes on taxes resulting in a popular opinion which discourage smoking and discourage people driving cars. At the same time, alcohol has been left free to be abused by everbody. There has to much more emphasis on alcohol control, more taxes, zero tolerance for public consumption. British society has to become a decent one and not the society of yobs and drunkards.

Ammar Khalid, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey

Let's see if I have this straight: If smoking was banned from 'public' places and these places included privately owned pubs then I guess banning alcohol from public places would mean no drinking in those same pubs. Ah, the slippery slope. Sounds extreme to me.

warren, Chestermere, Alberta

Why do the police want new laws? We already have laws against violence, killing, damage to property, fighting in the street, noise in the street - in fact everything that people have complained about above is already illegal.

Gordon Rae, Totnes, UK

Mr Newlove's murder's were probably high on skunk or crack cocaine not drunk... But it is much easier to blame drink especially if you're the Police and have a hopeless record of clearing up drug abuse

Tony, Wandsworth , London

I disagree with the Chief Constable of Cheshire and wish he would get his nose out of politics and back into enforcing the laws we already have. It is simply not in his remit to recommend the proper age for drinking.

Three of the suspects in this case, were underage drinkers, and there were repeated reports and complaints about underage drinking & rowdy behavior which the police did not effectively address. No new laws were needed, nor would they have made any difference.

Don't blame & infringe the rights of the vast majority of responsible 18-21 year olds for the inability of the police to arrest drunken children and enforce the law. If they can't catch you with DNA or on CCTV, it seems nothing can be done.

My recommendation is for the police to get out of their press conferences and offices and start patrolling the streets.

Lee Watts, Surrey / Hampshire Border, UK

I think its outrageous that people are easily able to get away with antisocial behaviour and drinking. Just the other day there was two guys on the train in central London drinking and shouting at female passengers. Coming from the US where there is no drinking in public places and any antisocial behavious means arrest and large fines at a minimum I think if the UK government do not ban drinking in public then anti social and alcohol related violence will continue significantly.

And I certainly dont understand the British "drinking" thing - I think Brits are the joke of the International community since all they want to do is get drunk - just take the average person out in Covent Garden on Sat night - its just sad. Thats a cultural issue thats more deep seated. Having lived in other countries most people there in the US, other parts of Europe would be embarassed to be seen so drunk. Here people enjoy it. Extremely sad

John Chandy, London,

I fundamentally disagree with Chief Constable Fahy, more laws are NOT required to tackle this issue - the laws already exist. What is required is the willingness and motivation on behalf of the police to actually do their jobs and tackle boozey kids when reported. I live in a middle class area of Warrington about 10 doors down from the local police station and have stopped bothering reporting gangs of drunken youths in and around the park at the end of my road to the police as nothing EVER gets done. All I ever heard from the police is a resigned "they'll only move on somewhere else" so they leave the kids alone. My neighbour has seen PCSO (pretend police) walk past kids with beercans and Bargain Booze bags and not even attempt to confiscate the alcohol. Meanwhile elderly neighbours are afraid to be out in the evenings, cars get attacked (mine 2 weeks ago) and property damaged. Reaction from the police? A crime number.
It's pathetic for Mr Fahy to want more laws. Shame on him.

Rob, Warrington,

If, Mr fahy, you want to stop antisocial behaviour, get your officers onto the streets and do it. Lobby the government to discard all the PC rubbish that ties your officers hands and tell them to get off their backsides and out of their cars and use present laws to deal with them. Don't ask for yet more draconian laws to criminalise people who are legally ADULTS (with votes may I remind you and the government) who want a drink. I am profoundly disturbed by the way this once free country seems to be lurching towards ever more controls on ordinary law abiding people with the apparent agreement of quite a section of the populace because our police have decided that they've got more important things to do than policing (such as confiscating Golliwogs etc). I am pleased the Government seems to be treating the comments of this man with the contempt they deserve. I just hope they don't backtrack as they have on other issues but perhaps they won't (those 18,19,and 20 year olds have votes!)

Steve Parr (37), Swansea, UK

Does this mean a young couple can't wander off into the countryside or their local park for a quite picnic and small bottle of beer/champagne?

James, Cheltenham,

What clearly needs banning is the drunken person-often to be found falling out of pubs and clubs having over indulged does it help in any way that they get in that state clinically clear of any public place?).

We are clearly unable to police the law as it stands, how on earth can we evaluate it until we do? Raising the age limit because too many are breaking it already is patent nonsense!

But blanket leglislation seems to be gaining favour - it seems that as a nation we are indeed losing the power of rational thought. Those unaffected by any proposed restriction or prohibition will find favour in it for that reason alone without coherent consideration as to whether such regulation would in any way achive the desired result. Many non-drivers would happily ban the car, without thought of how their trusty bus or train driver gets to work at 4.00am. Or simply... without thought! Believe me this is just how a country like America could make a mistake as disastrous as prohibition!

Chris Sorensen, stockport,

There is an issue of applicability and whether it is enforceable in relation to the proposals forwarded. There is also a real danger that it can be bypassed by determined indivuals in large numbers and we risk crminalising the few that are caught. One needs to make sure adequate measures are in place to diligently execute the law. Otherwise, I totally support the Chief Constable's sentiments.

Shahib, London,

Something has to be done about alcohol consumption in the UK overall. I live in Newquay, Cornwall and in our streets traditional hotels have been turned into bunk houses rammed full of bunkbeds with no communal spaces and marketing which promotes a 24 hour party lifestyle. All this with no need for a change of use application.The disruption causes sleep deprivation, a severe affect on quality of life, degradation of the area into 'No Goes' (where 36 children under 16 live). Our property is vandalised and we are probably losing equity in our houses. Meanwhile, licencing, planning, environmental health, police etc seem to bounce are complaints around without anyone accepting full responsibility. This disregard for residents across Newquay and other places is disgusting, inhuman and a very sad sign of our times.We pay some of the highest council tax rates, water rates etc to cover the tourists cost whilst one or two people make money hand over fist, they also holiday in august to escape!

Katy Davidson, Newquay, Cornwall

The 15-16 year olds obtaining alcohol freely would find it more difficult if the age limit was raised to 21! Maybe the shops still selling to underage teenagers would think twice if the limit was raised.

If smoking in public places has been banned, then why not drinking? Isn't this just as bad for your health? It would certainly stop teenagers hanging around on street corners with cans of beer etc, but policing the ban would probably prove difficult. More CCTV cameras on housing estates would be welcomed.

Sian Green, Sittingbourne, Kent

Home Office Minister Meg Hillier reply is just typical of todays goverment,bury your head in the sand and perhaps it will go away,as a goverment they are as guilty as those who commited the crime by being negative and soft on crime,instead of listening to the minority take heed of the majority,push the do gooders aside and take responsibility for governing the country properly.
It is going to get worse if you do not act,heed the warning...

M J Bantges, Lincoln, UK

The "drinking in public" places ban applies to most of Scotland as previously stated here. This infringes on the majority of people who can not sit in their local park with a picnic and a glass of wine without infringing a local bye-law.

"Policing properly" is a common suggestion for the solution to all of society's problems. I disagree. Even when police numbers are strong, they can not physically be everywhere at once and crime will still happen regardless.

The true solution is the British society taking a bit more responsibility for itself and acting in a more civilised manner.

Loutish behaviour, aggression, confrontation, the desire to be an all round scumbag seems to be far too prevalent today, especially amongst the 13-18 age bracket. It is this mindset that we must shun, and teach people to have good manners, and respect for others at ALL times.

Then we might make some progress in the field of fighting anti social behaviour and petty crime.

Jack Gough, Glasgow, UK

Smoking causes far less problems for the general population than alcohol does. There are bans on advertisement, smoking in "enclosed" public places and you should see the nasty looks us smokers get.... If the government are going to have any hope on reducing the numbers of people binge drinking and causing trouble they should look at their approach to smoking. Ban advertisement, ban drinking in public places other than licensed premises and show people that this "binge drinking" culture is disgusting. Just a shame that it would have to come to this sort of thing as people should be allowed to decide what is right for themselves, the problem we have just shows us that they lack the capacity to do so.

Ben, Inverness, UK

It's alright saying that shop keepers should not sell alcohol to teenagers but when a large gang goes into a shop and demands it and threatens violence if they don't get it, alot of people will have no option but to serve them.

A.Slate, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

There are already laws in place to deal with these situations - why are the police and local councils not using existing powers.

On another note, the police are public servants, it is their job to uphold the law - not dictate what the law should be.

A. Wilson, Yorkshire,

My parents in law, my wife and I shared a bottle of wine on a picnic last week – this would become illegal under these draconian measures.

More thought is needed - perhaps an age limit on drink in public or better parenting and education.

Alex, London,

Peter Fahy, the Chief Constable of Cheshire should be awarded the highest honour. This is a fantastic decision, which must be made a law a.s.a.p. Well done sir!

Mohammed, London, UK

I watched Peter Fahy on one his TV interviews today, I would love to know how many calls had been previously made to his Police officers relating to annoyance by youths drunk or otherwise in the area where this poor guy was murdered, it had been an obvious problem for some time it would be interesting also to know also how long the response times to these incidents were and whether a real Police office attended or a PCSO attended, if at all.
Zero tolerance is the only way these yobs will be dealt with and that includes by the police.

KW, wirral, UK

Why has Peter Fahy and the Government been so very slow .All the things being suggested are things that should have been done years ago, but of course as per usual the UK Government waits until its too late.
I think that the drinking age should be increased to 21 years old for sure. Parents should show more responsibility and the general culture needs to change. Most of all we need much much more discipline in schools and home as at the moment kids think they can do what they want, and they do .

This Country is going down "the tubes" NOT "youtube".

Simon, London, UK

I totally support what the Chief Constable is proposing.

We should all start thinking, acting and changing our behaviour in such a way to address the anti social and violent issues, that despite best efforts of the police, have deteriorated to such a state.

I truly dispair for the future of this country and the level it is fast sinking to.

C Barker-Byrnes, Bracknell,

Here we go The smoking bans out of the way so now its time to pick on the drinkers because the authorities can't find a way to control the few yobs that cause the problems. Well here's a few Ideas .1)Bring back corparal punishment in schools it never did my generation any harm. 2) Parents can not instill disipline on their kids because even a smack can leave them open to prosecution.
3 If there over 16 and a persistent offenders get them into the armed forces for a couple of years!!
Stop being a nanny state and sort the route cause of the underage drinking and disorder not try a blanket ban on public drinking so that the responible members of society can enjoy a drink anywhere.

K.H, st helens, Merseyside

Imposing a nationwide ban on public consumption of alcoholic drinks would be nigh on impossible to police and would stigmatise responsible social drinking. Surely what would be more effective in controlling drink related antisocial behaviour is a change in our drinking culture? Britain, in common with Scandinavia and North America, has historically veered between puritanical temperance and a veneration of heroic drinking quite at odds with the attitudes of Mediterranean societies, where drinking (mostly wine) is seen as something to do with friends and family in convivial social circumstances, not the local park bench . Although trite perhaps education, not more legislation, is the key?

Mark Gallagher, London, UK

A non elected local govt employee does not make the rules !

Fahy is there to ensure that the existing rules are enforced ... not quite doing his job is he ?

If you want to solve the problem - drop the drinking age to 16 .. pay tax, work , get married , have sex oh yes and have to sit in the park for a drink with your mates -- not exactly fair is it ?
Let them drink in pubs where the other drinkers will keep an eye on them.
Let 16yrs old have some slack.

Jimmy, Kirkcaldy, Fife

Drinking is prohibited in all public areas in Glasgow.

Daniel Keenan, Glasgow, Scotland

I was on a train last week with my two children aged 4 and 6. A huge gang of obviously drunk and chanting young men were allowed to get on the train. It was very intimidating, but most people here seem to thing that should be fine because of their 'civil liberties' or whatever to be drunk in a public place. Great.

Sarah, Colchester, UK

It is far too easy to obtain alcohol, what is needed is a much tighter control of the sale of alcohol.Banning the use of alcohol in public is a positive step,drinking on the streets should be rigourously policed , a zero tolerance approach would be necessary.I do not think that raising the age limit to 21 would be practical, rigourously enforce the existing law, get cross party consent to a common policy, and make the law bite.

K.E.Beckett, Newport, South Wales

It reminds me of being back at school, one person does something wrong and the whole class gets detention. Sort out those that are a menace, 10 hrs community service does not cut it.
What a crazy Country we have become, hmm I can think of another one we seem to aspire to, it is taking the mickey.
How can you sent young people to war if they are all classed as irresponsible?
freedom2choose.co.uk could see this coming a mile away.
Look to intolerant California to see where this is going.
Stop tarring everyone with the same brush and sort out the trouble makers.
We have been victims of white lightening, at a large cost to us.
They were in their 30s, criminals who get away with everything.
Do not know what a days work is, the government pays for their fags and booze, and the whole estate pays for the damage to the housing association property. Angry, you bet.

M. Vincent, cambs, uk

All Peter Fahy is doing is suggesting yet another law that will not be policed. My local area has a 'street drinking ban'. But there are never any police present to enforce it, and so it goes ignored.

How many people have been fined or prosecuted for dropping litter, allowing their dogs to foul public areas or use their mobile phones whilst driving their cars? Enough to make a difference?

Nope.

I am sick of reading about this legislation and that measure to curb anti-social behaviour when all it needs it a return to community beat policing.

Not 16 year old 'plastic policemen' either.

The gangs that gathered in the area where poor Mr Newlove was tragically attacked would not have been allowed to do so twenty years ago when beat police officers had simple powers to move on those considered to be loitering.

Merv Payne, Manchester,

When you've got school kids murdering you know your in trouble.

stuart, staffordshire, uk

There is already a drinking in public ban in Glasgow and has been for nearly 10 years. It has without a doubt helped in decreasing bottle attacks and other drink related violence. It is not a complete solution, but it goes some way to reclaiming the streets of the city to the vast majority of law abiding citizens.

Euan Ramsay, Glasgow, UK

Ban this ban that, is this an Islamic state? The solution to yobboism is simple, more police on the beat!!

kt, london,

This is what we in New York call social nannyism. First it's a smoking ban. Then it's a public drinking ban. Then it's a trans-fat ban. What's next? A thinking ban?

WILLIAM KNOBLE, new york, new york U.S.A.

What is needed from this ineffective Chief Constable is a police force which polices the streets of Warrington, and and acts as a deterrent to these yobs.

David Ashton, Warrington, UK

Prohibition spawned organized crime. Please do not import our old discarded foolishness. Find another way.

C Jane Simpson, New York, New York

M Fahy's comments are nieve in them selves.

This is a typical knee jerk draconian measure !

As he mentioned, both the police and local councils already have the powers to control street drinking and, as with other similar measures, the majority would be made to suffer for a small minority.

Its this minority that needs to be challanged and controlled, not the vast majority of the population.

Rod , Bristol, UK

I got an idea: Everyone over 18 should carry a card which would be issued to 'safe drinkers'. If you behave you can continue to buy alcohol. If you turn into a yob, your card cannot be renewed. This scheme can be used in other areas of problems to tackle anti-social behavious.

Z Hussain, Rochdale, UK

While I agree that the actions of young people today are unacceptable, I feel that the ban is another step in the wrong direction.

Why should you ban the freedom of an adult to choose if they drink? Issuing fines for public drunkenness is understandable, but why punish the ones who act responsibly?

If you ban it, you make it the forbidden fruit. People like myself, who don't want trouble from the authorities, don't act up outdoors or in public anyway. The chavs that do - well you won't stop them with a simple ban.

There's been one death because of the unjust smoking ban, what about alcohol which can provoke violent urges?

Government needs to take a step back, here. Realise that just by banning something, you won't stop it. Focus, instead, on keeping kids who are underprivileged and in abusive homes. They're the ones more likely to be out boozing at 12 or 13. Leave the rest of us "youngsters" alone to choose for ourselves whether we act the arse or not.

Sarah K., Liverpool, UK

At last, someone speaks up for common sense.
Well done to Mr Fahy for his comments, I whole hearted agree.
Raising the legal drinking age to 21 would help in identifying underage drinkers. A 15 year old may pass for 18 but is unlikely to pass for 21.
Children should be introduced to alcohol by their parents in a way that shows responsibility ie: A glass of wine with the occasional meal, the odd shandy at christmas. This allows children to experience drink without the dangers of alcohol poisoning or drunkeness. The Europeans have the right idea.
I also agree that the law should be reversed and you should only be allow to drink in designated places and not anywhere you please.
I have to say that worse experiences i have had with drunk people tend to be aged 25 - 40 not the teenagers. Teenagers tend to sit in the park with a bottle of cider being a bit covert, whereas your 'adult drinker' will roam freely, abuse anyone and tell the world they love/hate them and want a kiss/fight!

kelly, london, uk

I come from NZ which has a similar culture. The drinking age was actually lowered from 18 to 20 during the 1990's. Huge amounts of police time was spent policing which young people or students were allowed into pubs. The majority for most things in this country - voting etc is 18 and either society as a whole regards individuals as adults or they don't.

On the subject of not being able to drink outside except in the in the vicinity of licensed establishments, there goes my beloved English picnics, outdoor concerts etc. Use exisiting laws for causing a public nusiance. There is no need to add to a country which already has too many rules and regulations

SJP, London, UK

"Raise the legal age for sale to 21.

Zero tolerance to neddary.

Curfews on gangs of youths gathering."

Couldn't agree more. Criminalise an entire generation. They will surely understand its for their own good. We will show them we really care about their needs, tackling their frustrations and propensity towards alcohol in a stroke.

Bravo that man.

geoff cook, birmingham,

QUOTE: "She also said there were "no great plans" for a blanket ban on drinking in public, and that it was up to local councils to decide what was appropriate in their areas."

I seem to remember that being said about the smoking ban too and look how they lied with that one.....
Anyway,back to the subject... so, because the incompetant "powers that be" are struggling with policing under-age drinkers the easy way out is to ban EVERYONE from drinking in public places. What do you think of when you hear "drinking in public places"? I think of youths standing on street corners with a bottle of cheap cider. BUT, look deeper.... a ban on drinking in public places will mean no more picnics in the park with a bottle of wine, no more going fishing with friends and having a few tinnies... just simple things, I know... but thats only the start of it.
Freedom2Choose.co.uk

Sam, Notts, England

What a load of rubbish. Why should the misbehaviour of a few impinge on my right to enjoy a beer where I like? They already have the power to confiscate alcohol off those under 18 and can arrest anyone of any age who is misbehaving, so why the need to restrict what people can and can't do?

Tim Galvin, Brighton, Brighotn and Hove

We don't need a blanket ban on drinking in public, what we do need is tighter control of alcohol sales and a greater number of police officers on the ground. Establishments that sell alcohol to under age drinkers should face tougher punishments and adults who provide alcohol should be held liable for the actions of the under age drinkers if the drinking is considered an aggravating factor.

Do we really want a situation where you can't go down to the beach for a BBQ and have a couple of drinks without express permission from the council? Where does individual and social responsibility come in if we go down this draconian route?

Rowan Woodhouse, Cowes,

A ban like this just isn't going to work is it ? It's a bit like the ban that was introduced to stop people using their mobile phones whilst driving. I pass dozens of drivers everyday flouting that law. And why wouldn't they. A feeble £60 fine and a few points on the license is hardly a deterent. I dread to think how the ban proposed by Mr Fahy would be enforced

How about enforcing these bans instead :-

Ban shop keepers and pub landlords from selling alcohol to underage drinkers.

Ban magistrates and the judicery from handing out lenient sentences to these yobs, thugs, and terrorists. And, stop witholding their identities.

Ban the goverment from talking tough, and acting feebly, on street crime.

phillip, Leicester, UK.

It isn't just the one thing that will change the attitude of the young people of this country. We need to chip away at all of the soft measures that successive governments have allowed. Drink, drugs and violent crime. I agree with Mr Fahy!

Dave Johnson, Huntingdon,

Raise the legal age for sale to 21.

Zero tolerance to neddary.

Curfews on gangs of youths gathering.

alan James, Edinburgh,

In my area we have had problems with anti social behaviour .I know for a fact alcohol played no part of the problems.
this is the Police abdicating their responsibility again.However,that said it is increasingly difficult for parents as political correctness hinders the ability to be a parent.this combined with the fact that youths who choose to break the law are allowed to with impunity ,certainly doesn't help.

Mark, Grimsby, Lincolnshire,England.

Why not just ban public places? I am sure that would be easier than individually banning any activity you can think of in public places.

Chris, Bridgend, South Wales

This sounds like a police officer that is completely out of touch with whats happening around him.

The UK is absolutely swimming in alcohol! There was once a good reason for having so many Public Houses (bars) because during the Industrial Revolution the water supplies of our towns and cities where heavily polluted. Now we seem to have been completely brain washed into believing that the only way to have a good time is to go out and get smashed out of your brains. Why are we in this situation? Well the government makes billions from the tax revenue on alcohol. The very powerfull breweries are making huge profits as well.

The Police are boged down by home grown terrorists and red tape, something like 16% of the male prison population are foreigners that are being fed and watered at our expense!

MPs are elected to serve aren't they? maybe..

Every MP should spend at least 3 months living in their most crime ridden ward, that would get the toilet roles spinning in Parliament!

Graham Wharton, St Albans,

It was also reported last week that a large part of student's fees goes on drink. Two problem solved in one foul swoop.

It's the age - not the alcohol. I don't want to be prevented from having a beer outside on a street cafe. Ban the drinking within an age group - not the drinking.
And if the police actually punished these people by keeping them in their cells until they came up before the 'beak' - which would not go down well with their employers - they might start getting the message.....but don't hit me with a ban because of someone elses problem - hit the perpetrators.

Phil, Preston,

The momentum of the Nanny State rolls forward... some teenagers are irresponsible, stupid and/or violent so the proposition is that all should have their freedom curtailed... some people can´t drink responsibly in public so the proposition is that no one should be allowed to. Where will this end?

Stuart Sinclair, Malaga, Spain

Admittedly it isn't just going to be the one thing that changes the attitudes of young people today. It is obvious that to change a culture that is so embedded in our society that we must start to apply subtle changes to many of our laws and attitudes that influence anti social behaviour. Mr Fahy is correct in his assertions and we must start to think now about how we can do and not what we can't!

D Johnson, Huntingdon,

Yet again the civil liberties of innocent members of the the public are under risk because of the actions of criminals. Although I don't believe that drinking in the street is pleasant it would also preclude drinking outside of a pub, causing all sort of difficulty with existing smoking legislation.

Further to that the right of members of the public to have a drink with a picnic in a public place would also be curtailed.

By no means should we do nothing when yobs are willing to kill people for trying to stop them, however rather than curtailing yet more civil liberties in the name of public safety we should look at increasing the police presence on the street to reduce the opportunity for crime, and at suitably punishing and then rehabilitating offenders early on in their criminal careers rather than allowing them to simply continue after a short period of community service or ineffective prison sentence.

Ben Mortimer, Essex, England

The real problem is the traders who are willing to supply under 18s with alcohol. The penalty for doing so needs to be significant ahd the licence removed for those shops. Parents must take some responsibility for the younger ones who are drinking and schools have a role to play in education about the problems with alcohol abuse. Finally let's not just blame the kids, there are only a small part of the anti-social behavour problem. At 18 you're responsiblefor your actions so let the punishment fit the crime.

Richard Towes, Worcester Park, Surrey

This is an ill-though out proposal which will have an impact on responsible, law-abiding people. Why should having a glass of wine at a picnic be made illegal in an attempt to solve an anti-social behaviour problem.
I think that the emphasis is completley wrong here. It is not drinking alcohol in public places that is causing a problem. It is the irresponsible drinking of alcohol that is the problem. The police already have plenty laws to deal with anyone who is drunk and disorderly in a public place. I think it would be better to use the existing laws to the full and actually patrol the areas in question rather than limiting yet more of our simple freedoms.

Iain Martin, Dundee, Angus

Yet again the civil liberties of innocent members of the the public are under risk because of the actions of criminals. Although I don't believe that drinking in the street is pleasant it would also preclude drinking outside of a pub, causing all sort of difficulty with existing smoking legislation.

Further to that the right of members of the public to have a drink with a picnic in a public place would also be curtailed.

By no means should we do nothing when yobs are willing to kill people for trying to stop them, however rather than curtailing yet more civil liberties in the name of public safety we should look at increasing the police presence on the street to reduce the opportunity for crime, and at suitably punishing and then rehabilitating offenders early on in their criminal careers rather than allowing them to simply continue after a short period of community service or ineffective prison sentence.

Ben Mortimer, Essex, England

I think the act of going into an off licence and knowingly buying alcohol for under 18s to drink on street corners should be criminalised in the same way that supplying illegal drugs to people on street corners is, and carry the same punishment. Some people clearly don't understand how irresponsible this action is and need a tough law to make them realise this.

R Partington, Stockport,

i will agree with banning the alcohol in public places in the same way as smoking was banned. Alocohol is much more lethal than smoking and therefore the whole policy need an urgent review. the doctors have already warned the huge economic impact of an alcoholic society on our health system, besides the sad social side which is shown time and again as is the case of Mr Newlove. DRINK IS BAD- FOR YOU AND THOSE AROUND YOU! STOP IT NOW!

peace, Bristol, UK

I think the comments Peter Fahy have made are what every decent person would like see to happen within our communities. Why should we be intimidated by groups of youngsters standing in groups swearing, drinking being disrespectful to anyone who may pass or be in possible earshot. These kids are to be dealt with severly, not just with asbos but some other methods, fine their parents etc. Lets look how other countries deal with their youths because our country is in trouble, no wonder so many people are re-locating to other countries. Why have we given 24 hr drinking licenses, if people cannot drink enough in the previous hours l feel sad for them, it makes you ashamed to be British!! Lets start getting tough on these people they have destroyed a families life and just because he asked them not to smash the windows on the digger. I was in Oman recently Stick them in a jail out there they don't offend again, blow human rights all the time, people re-offend here because we are too lenient!

Amanda Boyd, Leatherhead / Surrey,

I think the comments Peter Fahy have made are what every decent person would like see to happen within our communities. Why should we be intimidated by groups of youngsters standing in groups swearing, drinking being disrespectful to anyone who may pass or be in possible earshot. These kids are to be dealt with severly, not just with asbos but some other methods, fine their parents etc. Lets look how other countries deal with their youths because our country is in trouble, no wonder so many people are re-locating to other countries. Why have we given 24 hr drinking licenses, if people cannot drink enough in the previous hours l feel sad for them, it makes you ashamed to be British!! Lets start getting tough on these people they have destroyed a families life and just because he asked them not to smash the windows on the digger. I was in Oman recently Stick them in a jail out there they don't offend again, blow human rights all the time, people re-offend here because we are too lenient!

Amanda Boyd, Leatherhead / Surrey,

We should all start thinking, acting and changing our behaviour in such a way to address the anti social and violent issues, that despite best efforts of the police, have deteriorated to such a state.

I truly dispair for the future of this country and the level it is fast sinking to.

C Barker-Byrnes, Bracknell,

As tragic as this case is raising the legal age to 21 won't solve the problem. At 18 we can vote, fight a war, police the streets and much more. Under 18 drinking is a problem caused in the mainly by immoral traders happy to sell alcohol to minors for the profit. The penalty for these traders should be closure of the premises and banned for holding a licene for ever. We all have a responsibility to educate and discourage drinking and anti social behaviour by minors and those over 18, who are far more violent and abusive, should have suitable punishment imposed and not just ticked off. Let's not get caught in the trap that all anti social behaviour is from kids, it is a much bigger problem than that., it's just easier to blame them.

Richard Towes, Worcester Park, Surrey

We must bring put an end to the city centre mega pubs, some catering for upwards to 1500 drinkers at a time. This would allow the paramedics to attend to those of us who are not legless, the police will be able to chase the odd burglar and the junior doctors at the ER will be able to catch some zzzzz's.

We must stop giving money to those businesses who are destroying our communities.

Hobbler, Watchet, Somerset

I live in the village of kelsall which is in cheshire. We lost our village copper years ago & Mr Fahey's finest aren't interested in anything but drink drivers. Being a one shop village the kids find it difficult to obtain alchohol or fags (not impossible) but its a lot easier to across the road behind the pub and by drugs where there are no questions asked about age or ID.
The dealers operate with apparent impunity from the law, the police have been informed on numerous occasions of these activities & take practically no action to prevent it. Raising the drinking age will simply gaurantee the dealers income for another 3 years.
The reason behind the behaviour of these kids is that from a very early age they realise that any adult who dares reprimand them or god forbid raise a hand to them will be in a lot more trouble than them (or the drug dealers for that matter). We used to drink under age & get drunk but we new that if we caused trouble we would get what we deserved & it hurt.

a smith, kelsall, cheshire

the behaviour of most of the youth of today IS unacceptable.
they have become feral when together. this is not just through alcohol though. it is due to poor parenting and how society as a whole has led them to believe that they will get away with aggression and violent behaviour.
and whilst i agree there should be alcohol free zones in certain urban areas, i do not believe a total ban on it in public is the best approach.too draconian for my taste.
would this total ban stop you from enjoying a can or two, after a walk in the countryside, or when sat next to a lake on a hot summers day ?
i can picture the beer wardens handing out the fines now.

s. jones, bury, lancashire

I totally agree with My Fahys call for a ban on alcohol consumption in public places. In particular this would help reduce the amount of broken bottles and crushed beer cans on our local beaches. In recent years this has become a real hazard to beach users.

Iain Garrett, Aldwick, West Sussex,UK