Venice to ban alcohol in public places

VENICE is considering a ban on alcohol on the streets in its latest bid to combat the impact of excessive tourism and disruptive behaviour.

The city is considering fines for anyone found carrying alcohol after 7pm – even if it is sealed in bags.

The move is designed to target drunken tourists who party throughout the night in public places in the popular Lagoon City without a “justifiable reason”.

Marco Agostini, Venice’s local police chief, said the proposal was not designed to target shoppers leaving their neighbourhood supermarket but rather “someone who goes around drunk and has a bag with three bottles of beer inside”, ANSA news agency reported.

More than 20million tourists visit Venice a year but residents are moving away.