“I am in definate support of this. It should be a nationwide offence to drink in a public place. I strongly think there should be "designated drinking zones" rather than "alcohol free zones", which should be pubs, clubs and private dwellings only. The police should therefore be able to sieze all alcohol from somebody if they, or the group they are with are in possesion of an open bottle / can within a public place. Similar to the smoking ban people will soon get used to the restrictions and it would not affect the majority of the population who dont spill out into the streets anyway.”

“"only people who have a problem with the Police in this area are the ones who are often in trouble" typical ignorant old adage argument, rather than thinking about what they are being told constantly by many different members of the public from all kinds different walks of lifes, they just plough on totally ignorant, thinking it will go away. When will they learn, they are here to SERVE, not fine fine fine. There are other ways than just attempting to cash in when dealing with issues. Pathetic weak excuse for all the slating the police get, keep burying your heads in the sand.(in shame) because you don't know what else to do, running around like a bunch of headless chickens listening to your bosses yet not thinking of the real issues and what should really be being done.”

“does this mean that anyone drinking alcohol in public will be prosecuted, whether sober or not, yet if the same person comes from a pub onto the streets drunk he will escape (!) unfined? crazy!what next? breath testing of pedestrians? 'drink walking' a crime? wake up!”

“Well I have never been in trouble with the police, and I have worked very closely with West Mids Police where I used to work for 9 years before moving here, there are a few people Alison and others who dont need alcohol to enjoy themselves but what we do expect is a certain level of service from that sector of public service, we are quick to slate binmen, parking wardens and others who give us bad service. BUT god forbid we critasise the police for not doing theres. I actually have proof that they have falsified records of attendance and it was dealt with by a Police Inspector after going thru there complaints proceedure. At the end of the day for this problem to go away the Police have to do thier part proactivly enforcing legislation that they have already, without relying on signs to enforce it after all you only have to walk around town at the moment to see the present enforced area does not work.”

“Yet again the anti-police crew are commenting en masse. It seems to me that the only people who have a problem with the Police in this area are the ones who are often in trouble,

If people were to be sensible with their drinking and other behaviours, enforcement such as this would not be necessary.

If you can only enjoy yourself becoming drunk and a nuisance in public then I can only assume that you live an unhappy life.

Life is what you make it, how about who so obviously dislike the current regulations do something positive to change them rather than constantly shouting off on a forum that is not widely read.”

“no, andy, not police knockers but citizens who live in a free country yet are finding that more and more of what once constituted normal enjoyable life is being eroded by forces who decide what is best for others and then administer the law in a heavy handed manner. we all want standards of public behaviour but we don't all want boys in blue handing out fines in order to advance their own promotion.Years ago police were friends of society now they seem to have another more sinister agenda. i am not anti police but am finding that hidden cameras,unmarked pursuit vehicles, and more and more petty laws are not doing the police any favours.”

“All the police knockers are out in force again just because they are trying to improve the quality of life for residents in these areas.
If you can do better why not join up? probably too thick or unfit for that and would rather just jear all the time”

“This all looks really weak. The D&C continue to demand ever-increasing powers, when their record of public trust is dismal.

How long, I wonder, have the issues of photographing the police - now illegal, apparently, due to an absurd Home Secretary - been operational in N Devon - in advance of the legislation.

And the new ideas on witness statements?

The D&C have a long way to go before they get up to "average" in the UK list of forces - a dismally low target.”

“We had this for night after night on Hughes Ave and no one gave a dam but god forbid those of you that live in town centre have it ..... all you are doing is putting it back on us to clean up after them not curing the problem. The cure is simple arrest the individuals fine them and make them clean it up. We spent many a weekend doing this from mainly underage drinking which the police were informed about as were Sanctuary Housing both did diddly squat to stop it. If you dont deal with the root cause the problem grows. pushing the boundry out further does not cure this problem long term only short term for some.”

“If people were to behave responsibly when they have had a drink, instead of vomiting, urinating, littering and unable to control there behaviour, these measures would not be needed. It appears that some of the people who have made comments think its OK to have cans and bottles thrown into there garden and bodily fluids outside there homes and not to mention vomit etc on there cars. Maybe some street signs should be put up directing drunks the homes where they dont mind cleaning up bodily fluids.”