© Olafur Steinar Gestsson/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
Danish courts can now prohibit certain offenders from "no go" zones set up by police to reduce nighttime violence.
On Monday, a 31-year-old man was sentenced under the new law by the Copenhagen City Court.
The suspect was banned from visiting nighttime hubs in the Danish capital for eight months and was also given a six-month prison sentence, according to Danish police.
Authorities in Copenhagen have set up four such "no go" zones to control access to busy streets, bars, and restaurants after midnight.
"We have definitely got a new tool, a tool that affects the few, but which helps the many," Copenhagen police inspector Tommy Laursen told Reuters.
Those who violate the ban face a fine of 10,000 Danish Krone (€1,344) and a potential 30-day prison sentence, Laursen added.
Despite having declined in recent years, violence in bars and clubs is a major contributor to Denmark's violent crime statistics.
Comment: Considering the times we live in, one could be forgiven for thinking this new law is a little questionable; aren't there already laws in place to deal with issues such as this? How will more laws solve these problems? Either violent criminals have served their time or they haven't; why would a violent offender be out on the streets at all? How will they identify who is allowed in these areas and who is not? Will this law eventually be used to target other people, such as protesters?