A borough-wide controlled drinking zone (CDZ) is now in effect in Merton to tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

The new CDZ will mean that police and community support officers will be able to confiscate alcohol from people who are acting in a disorderly manner in public.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “The response from residents during the consultation was clear. They want Merton to clamp down on drinking-related anti-social behaviour. Merton is one of the safest boroughs in London and we want to keep it that way. The new CDZ gained overwhelming support at council when it was proposed last November.”

Chair of Merton Council’s licensing committee, Councillor David Simpson said: “A borough-wide Controlled Drinking Zone is simpler and better value for money than establishing zones in individual areas of the borough. We hope that the implementation of the CDZ will lead to fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour in our public spaces.”

ENDS

About the London Borough of Merton

An outer London borough to the south west of the capital with a population of 200,000 residents living in 80,000 households and served by 7,500 businesses. Formed in 1965, the borough’s five main town centres are Wimbledon (taking in the Village, the Broadway and South Wimbledon), Mitcham, Morden, Raynes Park and Colliers Wood.

Merton is home to the world famous All England Lawn Tennis Club, where the Wimbledon Championships take place every year bringing an extra 500,000 people into the borough for the tennis extravaganza.

In the 13th century, the Statutes of Merton, the basis of common law in England and seen by many as the forerunner for modern parliament, were signed here. In the 19th century Merton was a place of industry where famous names such as Arthur Liberty and William Morris based their businesses on the River Wandle. The Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson also lived in Merton.