In brief
New powers to tackle alcohol-fuelled disorder, knife and gun crime were introduced last week with the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (VCRA 2006). Several new offences relating to the making or selling of realistic imitation guns have been introduced and the maximum sentence for carrying an imitation gun in public without reasonable excuse has doubled from six to 12 months. VCRA 2006 also allows police to apply for a fast-track review of an alcohol premises’ licence if it is suspected of being associated with serious crime or disorder, while councils can now impose immediate extra conditions on the licence pending that review.
