Public Intoxication - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, there are a number of offences dealing with intoxication, which vary between the constituent countries.

In a public place, it is an offence to be:

• drunk,
• drunk and disorderly

It is also an offence to be drunk:

• while boarding, or while on board, an aircraft
• while in charge of a child under 7 years old
• while travelling to a "designated sporting event" (usually professional football matches) on public transport or a vehicle with eight seats or more
• while in, or attempting to enter, a "designated sporting ground" (a football ground) during a designated sporting event.

The police will only get involved if the person is so drunk they are unable to act reasonable, such as passing out on the street. In that case typically the police will, depending on the circumstances, help the intoxicated person on their way or place the person in a police station cell until sober. Once fit to be dealt with the detained person will normally either be cautioned, be issued with a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND - £80 fine in ticket form) or bailed to appear at the local court. The court in turn may issue a fine (up to level 1 or level 3 on the standard scale depending on the offence charged).

There are also many more specific offences, including driving a motor vehicle while drunk (or being found 'drunk in charge') and riding a cycle while unfit through drink. Furthermore, the police have the power (although not the obligation) to confiscate any alcohol which is being consumed in public by those under 18, and local authorities have the power to prohibit alcohol consumption in certain areas.