It's a punitive measure, designed to alter behavior by means of public exposure and ridicule, a strategy I would think conservatives would be all in favor of. After all, a drunk in high heels isn't necessarily breaking any laws.

"The force has already been handing out condoms and sexual health advice to revellers, and ordered drunken men who urinate in the street to clean up their own mess with a mop and bucket." That sure sounds like public humiliation to me.

Normally, I wouldn't waste a post on such a trivial thread, but you seem to get such a thrill out of these little gotchas. What are we supposed to do, wilt at this sudden blast of insight and slink away in disgrace?

Whether this policy is worthwhile is certainly open to debate, personally, I think it's ridiculous. But to link it to some kind of libertarian dogma is absurd.

There. You've been handed your flip-flops. You are under no obligation to wear them.