Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 27 July 2007
Park boozers told to give up drink
STREET drinkers have been barred from boozing in a Holloway park – but can still hang out there. Alcohol has been banned from Kinloch Park, off Hornsey Road, after four months of pressure from residents, but street drinkers will only have their alcohol confiscated, and will not be told to move on.
Residents have long wanted boozing banned in the park, claiming that a regular group of drinkers was deterring others from using the park, even as a short cut.
On one occasion up to 25 boozers stripped off while singing and dancing and used the park as a toilet.
Police now have the power to take alcohol away from drinkers, and arrest them if they refuse to give it up.
Labour councillor Phil Kelly, who pushed for the ban, said: “Occasionally in this job you get to achieve something that’s quite small but will make a big difference to local people. I hope they like it.”
Sergeant Chris Walsh, of Finsbury Park Safer Neighbourhoods police team, said: “The park has suffered from a lot of anti-social behaviour over the past years, and residents have been asking for their park back. “I’m pleased that people can’t drink there any more.”