New bans on street booze (From Swindon Advertiser)

New bans on street booze

8:20pm Sunday 25th April 2010 in News

A NEW booze ban has come into force in two areas of Swindon meaning anyone drinking and causing a problem could be arrested and fined up to £500.

Two new designated public place orders (DPPOs), allowing police to confiscate alcohol from people aged 18 and over in public places, have been obtained by the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and are now in force in the Cavendish Square and Faringdon Park areas.

Street drinking and alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour have previously caused significant problems for local residents and businesses in both locations.

Evidence, provided by local neighbourhood policing teams, showing this to be the case was supplied to the licensing panel at Swindon Council, enabling DPPOs to be declared in both areas.

The orders mean the police can use their discretion to take alcohol away, in either open or closed containers, from anyone abusing its use and causing a disturbance.

Signs are now in place in both neighbourhoods to indicate the orders are in force.

Inspector Mark Sellers, from Swindon Police’s community safety department, said: “These designated public place orders send a strong message that we will not tolerate drunken and offensive behaviour that makes life unpleasant for others in our communities.

“We’ve already increased foot patrols in and around Cavendish Square and Faringdon Park in recent months and, together with these new tools and powers to remove alcohol, we can clamp down on individuals behaving in an inappropriate way in these public places.”

Anyone not complying with a police officer's request to surrender their opened or unopened cans and bottles of alcohol in these areas now faces a penalty notice for £50, or arrest and prosecution with a fine of up to £500.

Bail conditions can also be used to stop the individual from drinking in public. Such orders have already made a difference in tackling street drinking and anti-social behaviour in Haydon Wick, Broadgreen and the town centre, and their introduction has been welcomed by police and residents.

Andrea Magill, from Walcot who shops in Cavendish Square, said: “We’ve had problems with people drinking, dropping bottles, shouting and using bad language in Cavendish Square, but since the ban it has been cleaner and quieter, and I’ve felt safer and less worried about moving around the local area.”