A controversial Government scheme to deal with booze-fuelled town centre violence has been cancelled just days before it was due to come into force after the legislation was found to be riddled with errors.
Ministers had hoped to establish a network of Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) which would have allowed councils to levy charges of up to £1,000 on pubs in order to pay for the policing of rowdy areas.
Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, claimed it had had been "an ill-fated policy devised on the hoof" and Tory spokesman James Brokenshire described the plans as a "shambles".
He said they were "back-of-an-envelope solution" to deal with the public's fears about 24-hour drinking and were unpopular with the police, the drinks industry and local councils.
The Home Office insists that the ADZ scheme, due to start on January 9, will still go ahead but a spokesman could not say when.
The Sunday Express 30/12/07 page 2
