The whole of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough is to become the subject of a new designated public place order effective from 1 October 2007 aimed at reducing disorder and public nuisance arising from the consumption of alcohol.

The order has been introduced following extensive consultation carried out in 2006, and was proposed by a working group chaired by Councillor Bill Hancox (Labour,bede ward).

CI Pete Blackburn explained:

"Under the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 Police and PCSOs already have powers to confiscate and dispose of alcohol from under 18s that is likely to be consumed in public places including streets and parks. This new designated public place order will extend these powers to cover over 18s drinking in a public place anywhere in the Borough. This means that where PCSOs or officers believe a person intends to consume alcohol in a public place they can seize the alcohol. This applies to both sealed and unsealed containers”.

“In a nutshell” explained CI Blackburn “it will be illegal to binge drink in all the Borough’s parks and open public spaces and the police will have powers to deal firmly but fairly with those that choose to do so.

"As a partnership the Police and local authorities will not tolerate what is a national trend to binge drink in public and these new powers will be used in a common sense way together with other positive partnership action, including prosecuting any outlet which sells alcohol to underage people."

The initial approach will be to persuade, advise and warn people that they cannot consume alcohol in a public place. If they fail to follow advice, the police will seize the alcohol and may arrest those concerned. The whole aim is to make the Borough a safer place for residents and allow them to safely enjoy a visit to the many pubs and clubs the towns and villages have to offer. The new order does not apply to licensed premises, registered clubs, pavement cafes or private dwellings, but will cover all other highways and public places.

By making the whole Borough the subject of the order, it leaves the community at large in no doubt as to which public area is covered by the order. It is very clear that wherever you are in the Borough, drinking and causing antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated.

Councillor Bill Hancox (Labour,bede ward) said "The links between antisocial behaviour and alcohol are a topic of national debate at the moment. For some time now research now has been ongoing into the misuse of alcohol and effects to society, with councillors expressing concern that it is linked to antisocial behaviour”.

Community intelligence was gathered, and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough councillors felt it appropriate that they should seek to implement a designated public place order under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Following the lead of a small number of local authority areas nationally, Nuneaton and Bedworth decided to go for a Borough wide order which is still quite an unusual approach.

Police Sergeant Steve Hall said "Licensees in and around the town centres are working with the police to control alcohol consumption in and around their licensed premises and this good work will continue. The DPPO is designed to give police new powers to help prevent incidents that are not directly linked with a licensed premises”.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough is very innovative in its approach to tackling night time disorder, being the first Borough in Warwickshire to have robocams to complement the existing town centre CCTV system. Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour remains a priority for all partners in the Borough.

Leader of the Council – Councillor Dennis Harvey said: “We are determined to make the Borough a safe place to live, work and visit and this is another example of the Council using the powers at our disposal to help achieve that aim”.

Nigel Drysdale, The Chairman of Band (Bar Against Night-time Disorder) and General Manager of Nuneaton's largest nightclub, Liquid & Envy, supports the new scheme saying "Designated Public Place Order is a positive measure that will further tackle alcohol related anti social behaviour in the town"

"As part of Luminar, the UK's largest operator of late night entertainment venues, Liquid & Envy both initiate and support a number of meaningful solutions to assist the police in developing reduction policies for town centre crime, disorder and drunkenness with the aim of promoting safety within the community"

For further information please contact:

Alan Davies, Corporate Services Director

024 7637 6262

alan.davies@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk

Tuesday 07 October 2008