Street drinkers in one North London area could face £100 fines after the local council approved new powers to crack down on alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour. The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Camden, approved on Tuesday, June 9, takes effect from July. While not an outright ban on drinking in public spaces like parks, it empowers police and council enforcement officers to order individuals to stop drinking alcohol and confiscate any alcohol—or anything believed to be alcohol—from those engaging in anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Enforcement and Penalties
Anyone breaching the conditions by refusing such requests will receive a £100 fine. The PSPO was waved through by senior politicians at the first official cabinet session chaired by Camden's new leader, Cllr Sagal Abdi-Wali, since she assumed office.
One of her deputies, Cllr Patricia Callaghan, said: “We know that the majority of alcohol consumption in Camden is carried out in a responsible way. We want people to enjoy themselves, and it doesn’t have a negative impact on our community. Where there are community concerns around anti-social behaviour associated with some alcohol consumption, we hope that this PSPO will help to alleviate these issues.”
Duration and Scope
The PSPO will last for three years before the council decides whether to renew it. It will be enforced across all of Camden except in Hampstead Heath, which is under the authority of the City of London Corporation. The council brought in similar controls on public drinking in 2015, but these lapsed in 2020. The local authority reported there had since been “regular” concerns about ASB and crime in the borough, particularly associated with Camden nightlife.
Public Consultation
Nearly 200 residents responded to the council’s consultation on the proposed PSPO held earlier this year, with 78% supporting the measures. Several respondents complained about individuals and groups behaving aggressively and “intimidating” people while under the influence, such as drunk men harassing and verbally abusing women and girls. The responses frequently cited Camden Town centre, Tottenham Court Road and Fitzrovia as hotspots for alcohol-fuelled ASB.
Comparison with Other Boroughs
The majority of London boroughs have similar restrictions on street drinking in place, including Camden’s neighbouring boroughs of Haringey, Islington and Westminster. According to Metropolitan Police data, Camden ranks eighth out of all 32 London boroughs in terms of reported ASB incidents, with 9,117 incidents recorded between May 2025 and April 2026. Westminster had the highest rate in the same period, with 13,641 incidents recorded.
Official Statement
In a statement on Wednesday, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Deputy Leader, Cllr Adam Harrison, said: “This isn’t about a casual drink in the park with friends, this is about clamping down on anti-social and irresponsible drinking that we know negatively impacts residents, businesses, and visitors in Camden. Our enforcement officers patrol the borough seven days a week, deterring criminals and looking out for your safety. If you have concerns about anti-social behaviour in your area, we’re here for you and urge you to report it. Every report matters and will be taken seriously.”
