New powers in battle against violent crime

Drunken louts and violent criminals are today facing tough new penalties.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke unveiled a raft of measures to rid town centres of drunken louts, and restore order in schools and neighbourhoods blighted by knife and gun crime.

Key measures in the new Violent Crime Bill are:

The Home Office is billing the laws as its toughest ever package against violent and anti-social behaviour. Mr Clarke admits the Government cannot afford to enter another election with fear of crime and public anger over yob culture running so high.

Opposition politicians say the Bill has come too late and shows ministers have lost control.

Police will gain extra powers to tackle the growing use of offensive weapons. In addition to the replica guns ban there will be new regulations governing the use of airguns, while the minimum age for buying a knife is expected to rise from 16 to 18.

Police will be able to set up "alcohol disorder zones" to tackle drunken violence. These could cover between 50 and 500 businesses, each paying a £100-a-week levy to cover additional policing. Leisure industry representatives say the blanket fee could unfairly penalise small businesses and legitimate clubs, such as the Royal British Legion, rather than tackling the few problem bars.

But a Home Office source said the Bill would show "we take the fears of parents, schools and communities very seriously indeed".

Senior police said any move to take replica firearms off the streets would benefit both officers and the public. Many replicas can be converted to fire live ammunition. Chief Superintendent Paul Robinson, head of Scotland Yard's special firearms operational command unit, said: "It is often almost impossible to tell the difference between a real gun and a replica. For someone walking down a street, all they know is that someone is waving a firearm at them."

"Police face exactly the same situation and have to make split-second decisions on how to act."

Several forces have called for the legal change following cases when police marksmen have shot suspects carrying replica weapons.