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THE METRO becomes a booze-free zone on Monday (DECEMBER 6) when operator Nexus introduces Alcohol Exclusion Zones on all Metro property. From Monday, the Metro Alcohol Exclusion Zone will make it a criminal offence to be in possession of an open container of alcohol anywhere on the network. Offenders will be liable to have alcohol confiscated and could face fines of up to £500. Nexus is working hard to publicise the Metro booze ban, with posters appearing at Metro stations across the network. Nexus will launch the ban at Monument Metro Station on Monday (DECEMBER 6). Director General Mike Parker will greet representatives from the five local authorities of Tyne and Wear, which have all signed up to alcohol exclusion zones in their boroughs and will designate areas to be covered by the ban. News desks are invited to send staff to cover the launch, where interviews will be possible. NOTES FOR NEWSDESKS BACKGROUND TO THE BAN: Bylaws already in place allow Nexus to prosecute rowdy drunks, but the new Alcohol Exclusion Zone order will strengthen those powers by allowing the train operator to remove anyone found in possession of an open container of alcohol, regardless of whether or not they are causing trouble. For the most part, the ban will be enforced by the police, but Nexus’ Travel Support Officers will also be empowered to eject anyone caught flouting the law. Police have welcomed the new powers, saying they will help them police the system more effectively. The new powers will be far more robust than the existing bylaws so if officers see someone drinking they can stop them. Nexus says it is pleased to have the Metro booze ban in place well before the party season of Christmas and New Year as it will help stem any trouble. Police will seek an Anti-Social Behaviour Order from the courts if someone repeatedly offends under this legislation and continues to commit disorder type offences. A local authority can designate a no-alcohol area if it is satisfied nuisance or annoyance to members to the public or disorder has been associated with drinking alcohol. The booze ban scheme was pioneered by North Tyneside Council, which applied to the Government Office for the North East (GONE) for approval in principle before going ahead. GONE stipulated it would only grant its consent to the ban if North Tyneside got the other four Tyne and Wear local authorities on board. All four signed up, believing the ban would be another weapon in the fight against town centre crime. Alcohol Exclusion Zones will allow each council to impose a booze ban in designated areas such as town and city centres, where drink often fuels rowdy behaviour. Nexus’ Director General Mike Parker, said: “Including Metro in the ban on the consumption of alcohol in some public places will undoubtedly help us rid the system of the kind of anti-social behaviour we're working hard to combat. “Although alcohol related offences are rare on the Metro, and especially offences involving someone who is drinking at the time of the offence, the ban will help us keep the system safe - particularly in the run-up to Christmas, when drink can sometimes fuel trouble.”
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