Drinking in public will be penalized as Sunak plans new ‘anti-social behavior’ law

Representative image. AFP

London: Drinking alcohol at bus stops and war memorials will be banned as part of the Rishi Sunak government’s crackdown on anti-social behavior.

According to reports based on sources, Graffiti vandals will also be required to clean up any mess within 48 hours of their arrest, and thumbtacks will be placed in “chain gangs” and forced to clean up their communities.

The plan also calls for a ban on the sale and possession of laughing gas and strict enforcement of laws against illegal dumping.

Police patrols in areas where people frequently loiter and commit petty crimes will get more money under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s new offensive against disorder.

The action plan will focus on encouraging young people to participate in sports and other activities, in addition to tougher and faster penalties.

Political commentators compare Sunak’s crackdown plan to one that former Labor Party leader Tony Blair unveiled in 1998, seen as a flagship initiative of his administration just months after taking office.

According to the Sun, Sunak will present his own version the following week, just weeks before the municipal elections in May.

According to polls, voters’ top concerns ahead of next year’s general election are anti-social behavior.

Cross-departmental strategies are being developed by Cabinet Minister Michael Gove.

“Making our communities better and safer places to live is a crucial part of our upgrading agenda,” a government spokesperson told the Daily Mail.

“And since we are aware of the misery that anti-social behavior can cause, we will soon publish an action plan outlining how we will work tirelessly across government to combat it,” he said.