Street drinkers could face £100 fines in Camden after the council approved new powers to crack down on alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the borough.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to curb “irresponsible” alcohol consumption was approved by the north London council on Tuesday 9 June, and will take effect from July. Though not an outright ban on drinking in places like parks, the measures empower police and council enforcement officers to order individuals to stop drinking alcohol, and to confiscate any alcohol — or anything they believe to be alcohol — from people engaging in anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Anyone breaching the conditions by refusing such requests will receive a £100 fine, or £60 if paid within 14 days.
The PSPO was waved through by senior politicians on Tuesday at the first official cabinet session chaired by Camden’s new leader, Cllr Sagal Abdi-Wali, since she assumed office.
Cllr Patricia Callaghan, deputy leader and cabinet member for community resilience, 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.”
The PSPO will not apply to people standing within the forecourt of licensed premises as the council wants to “strike a balance between promoting a vibrant and inclusive night-time economy” and controlling “anti-social behaviour associated with some alcohol consumption”, states the cabinet member report.
However, medical evidence states that any consumption of alcohol is harmful and there is no safe level on drinking as it is classed as a Group 1 carcinogen. Even “light” or “moderate” drinking is a cause of at least seven types of cancer.
The Institute of Alcohol Studies says that the notion of “responsible drinking” is a creation of the alcohol industry and there is a “conflict of interest between alcohol industry economic objectives and public health goals”.
In 2025 Camden revised its Licensing Policy to open up the evening and night-time economy and allow the sector to thrive in Camden.
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 anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime in the borough, particularly associated with Camden nightlife.
Nearly 200 residents responded to the council’s consultation on the proposed PSPO held earlier this year, with 78 per cent 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.
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.
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,” he added.
Camden Council, Cabinet – Tuesday 9 June 2026. Agenda. Webcast.
Additional reporting by Linus Rees.
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