Police support bid to extend no-drink zone

By afoster

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.

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.