New powers to enable police and local authorities to crack down on people responsible for alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour have been introduced by the Home Office.

The new measures, which were unveiled by Home Office minister Alan Campbell on 1 September, include Drinking Banning Orders (DBO) to target people over the age of 16 years old who regularly commit crime while under the influence. The 'Booze ASBOs' will enable magistrates to impose conditions that prevent individuals from committing further offences, such as a ban on consuming alcohol in specific pubs, bars or off licences, as well as restrictions on entering certain areas.

DBOs can last from between two months and two years, with a fine of up to £2,500 for offenders who breach the orders. Individuals subject to a DBO can also be referred to a Positive Behaviour Intervention Course to address alcohol misuse, with a the potential for a reduction in the length of the order if the course is successfully completed. Campbell said: "Tackling crime and disorder linked to alcohol is one of our top priorities and we have made real progress but with the cost to the UK totalling billions of pounds a year we know there is still more to be done.

"These orders will stop those people who are well known to the authorities, licencees and often the communities where they live, from ruining lives and will make them face up to their destructive behaviour." Don Shenker, chief executive of the Alcohol Concern charity, added: "Used as part of a package of measures to reduce alcohol harms, these initiatives can make a real difference to safety on our streets.

"Policing of alcohol-related crime must go hand in hand with more robust measures to curb irresponsible and illegal sales and improved treatment pathways for dependent drinkers."