Alcohol ban 'plan for transport'

Passengers could be banned from drinking alcohol on all public transport under plans drawn up by the Government.

The Prime Minister's advisers have apparently proposed the tough measure as part of a crackdown on binge drinking.

It is designed to stop drunken yobs terrorising passengers on buses and trains. But it would also stop ordinary travellers enjoying a drink with their meals.

According to reports a ban would be likely to apply to domestic flights as well. The plans are reported in both The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times.

According to the newspapers the proposal has been drawn up by Tony Blair's "Respect Unit". It is apparently one of several policies aimed at tackling binge drinking and anti-social behaviour.

Advisers have also proposed introducing respect "sheriffs" so each community had a "visible local figure accountable for respect".

A list of 40 proposals includes moves to allow councils to seize the private homes of people convicted of serious anti-social behaviour offences.

Other plans include a new offence for parents of truanting children found on the streets and creating "acceptable behaviour zones" on unruly council estates.

The newspapers say the alcohol ban has the strong support of British Transport Police but faces opposition from some Government quarters.

The plans were reportedly drawn up at a meeting at Chequers last month chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by a range of officials including the controversial anti-social behaviour "tsar" Louise Casey.

This is London 30 October 2005