Is it illegal to drink alcohol in public in the UK?
WITH the cost of living crisis taking full grip, many Brits will be looking to reduce their outgoings in coming months.
Even socialising with friends can be outside the means of many with a night out costing a small fortune, but maybe socialising in public could be the answer.
Is it illegal to drink alcohol in public in the UK?
Providing you are over 18 years of age, the simple answer is no, there aren't any blanket restrictions against drinking in public.
Local councils can put measures in place to stop drinking in certain areas where they think alcohol could contribute to anti-social behaviour.
In England and Wales, councils can use a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to stop drinking in public in defined locations.
However, in Scotland each local council has the power to apply its own set of rules (byelaws) on where over-18s can and cannot drink in public places.
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Councils in Northern Ireland can introduce byelaws to restrict consumption of alcohol in certain areas too, or during parades.
Drinking alcohol somewhere it’s been banned, or refusing to comply with a police officer’s request, can lead to a fine or an even being arrested.
PSPOs give police officers special powers to order a person to stop drinking alcohol in public and confiscate it from them.
Is it legal to be drunk in a pub?
Weirdly, there is still a law in place from the Victorian era that does make it illegal to be drunk in a pub.
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Under the , any person found to be drunk on licenced premises, such as a pub, are liable to a penalty.
It is against the law under the for bar staff to sell drink to a person who's drunk, and it is also illegal to sell alcohol to someone if they are buying that drink for a drunk person.
This is a law however that is rarely enforced, if at all, and seems quite an outdated one in the modern age.
Is it illegal to drink alcohol on public transport?
Drinking alcohol is banned on many public transport services in the UK.
For example, consuming alcohol or carrying an open container of alcohol isn’t allowed on:
- TfL services (buses, trams, Tubes and Docklands Light Railway) in London
- Scotrail train services in Scotland
- Translink trains and buses in Northern Ireland
Alcohol restrictions apply to many other bus or train services too – if you’re not sure, check with the operator of your service.
Usually, these bans are enforced through the operator’s terms and conditions for passengers.
But refusing to comply could lead to the police getting involved.
It’s an offence to be drunk on a train in the UK – you could be given a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) and fined.
You can also be refused permission to travel if you’re drunk.
There are rail services in the UK (often longer distance routes) where buying or drinking alcohol are allowed.
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However, operators can decide to run "dry" trains where you can’t consume or carry alcohol on board - for example trains going to football matches or other sporting events.
Where this happens, notices are put up in advance to warn passengers.