New curbs on drinkers

Police get new powers today to confiscate drink from alcoholics in hundreds of streets near Victoria station. The new rule is designed to drive out rowdy "drinking schools" in the area.

Anybody who refuses to hand over drink after being requested to do so by a police officer will face a possible £500 fine and arrest.

Police and Westminster council stress the powers could be used as an extra weapon against rowdy revellers if officers deem them a potential nuisance.

Robert Davis, chairman of Westminster council's general purposes committee, which passed the legislation, said: "Somebody standing outside a pub or on the street having a can of beer will not be affected."