Borough comes closer to booze ban

If approved, the exclusion zone would come into force by the end of July

Drinking in public areas could be banned across a borough in London.

Councillors on Harrow's licensing committee are to discuss a report on the move, which is intended to cut down on problem drinking.

Drinking on the street and in parks is already banned in parts of the town centre, Wealdstone and South Harrow.

Councillor Susan Hall said the ban is designed to tackle anti-social behaviour and will not be used to harass law-abiding people.

She said: "This ban is not about people who might enjoy a glass of wine with a picnic in the park.

"What it is about is tackling the kind of anti-social behaviour which intimidates or causes disturbance to our residents; where street drinkers, groups of youths or others gather and drink in town centres, parks and other public areas."

The zone would give police powers under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to stop people they believe are causing, or are likely to cause, anti-social behaviour or disturbance from drinking in a public place.