The government has announced new legislation it hopes will help combat violent crime, particularly that related to alcohol.
The Violent Crime Reduction Bill aims to crack down on low-level crime and anti-social behaviour that often lead to more serious offences in the future.
Of particular concern is alcohol-related disorder, which the legislation would attempt to curtail with the introduction of new Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs).
ADZs would require licensed premises to contribute to the cost of violence resulting from binge-drinking in specific areas where it has been deemed a problem.
Police would also get new powers to ban the sale of alcohol at such premises by imposing up to two-year bans, or 'Drinking Banning Orders', on individuals pegged as responsible for alcohol-related crime.
While agreeing with the sentiment, some business leaders expressed concern that the plans could inadvertently harm otherwise upstanding businesses.
"An 'Alcohol Disorder Zone' implies the drawing of lines on maps within which all licensed premises would be liable for costs," said Kevin Hawkins, director general of the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
"Off-licensed shops and supermarkets in particular are not the cause of alcohol-fuelled disorder and also pay their business rates for a range of goods other than alcohol.
"These businesses should not be charged for the extra costs associated with such anti-social behaviour."
The bill would allow the government to place 48-hour bans on licensed premises caught selling alcohol to people under 18, as well as banning offenders from certain ADZs for the same amount of time.
"The measures in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill are a key part in the fight against alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder," said culture secretary Tessa Jowell.
"They complement the new licensing laws which will help eradicate trouble flashpoints through ending fixed closing, give the police tougher powers to deal with trouble venues and provide greater protection for children and local communities."
