Police support bid to extend no-drink zone
THE NO-DRINKING zone in Barnstaple looks set to be extended.
North Devon Council has given the go-ahead for formal steps to be taken to include Fort Street, Hills View and Sunset Heights within the designated "drinking ban" area following concerns from local residents.
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Devon and Cornwall Police
It will give police the legal power to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with drinking in a public place.
The council will now advertise their intentions and undertake further consultations with residents and interested bodies.
However, the move is already backed by North Devon's MP Nick Harvey and the local police who wish to see it in place as soon as possible.
Under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 local authorities can designate public places as no-drinking zones where there have been alcohol-related disorder or nuisance.
A report to the council revealed that there had been 14 public disorder incidents in the Fort Street area between December 2006 and November 2008, all involving drinking.
Fort Street is on the boundary of the current no-drinking zone and police officers state that drinkers are fully aware of this.
Although the police have other powers at their disposal, quite often there are not enough grounds to use them.
As well as the Fort Street area the police have requested that neighbouring Hills View, Sunset Heights and the green they overlook also be included in the new control order to prevent problem groups from "moving on".
If the ban goes ahead police officers will have the power to ask people to stop drinking in public and surrender any intoxicating liquor.
The Home Office states that these powers are not intended to disrupt "peaceful activities" such as families having a picnic in the park or on the beach with a glass of wine, but explicitly to address nuisance associated with drinking in a public place.
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by SUPPORER, Ilfracombe
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 10:18AM
“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.”
by UK Man, UK
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 6:55PM
“"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.”
by sam, braunton
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 12:18PM
“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!”
by Mark, Barnstaple
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 6:44PM
“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.”
by Alison, Barnstaple
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 5:19PM
“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.”