Sections 15-20 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 empower local authorities to designate Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) where there is nuisance, disorder or annoyance associated with the consumption of alcohol in the area or the consumption of alcohol supplied in the area which is likely to be repeated. The Act allows the Secretary of State to make regulations enabling local authorities to charge certain licensed premises in ADZs for additional enforcement activity.
The Act requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance to cover the use of ADZs and requires him to consult stakeholders before that guidance is issued. The guidance will be subject to formal consultation shortly. Following the consultation, regulations will be placed before Parliament at the earliest opportunity. The earliest possible date for commencement of ADZs will be 1 October 2007, in line with the Common Commencement Date (CCD) initiative for regulation bearing on business.
Local authorities may designate an ADZ, in their area, following commencement provided that the statutory criteria are met. These include undertaking a 28 day consultation period and an opportunity for licensees to take steps to implement an Action Plan within eight weeks of its publication. The guidance will place ADZs as a last resort intervention.