In Somerset, there is a new year crackdown on drunken anti-social behaviour in Street.
Mendip District Council has joined forces with Street Parish Council, Avon and Somerset Police and other local agencies to launch the village’s new alcohol restriction order.
It gives the police new powers to confiscate alcohol from anyone in a designated restriction area, if they are believed to be causing a nuisance or being anti-social. The order was made following requests by the parish council. The order states that it is an offence if a person fails to comply with a police officer’s request to stop drinking – which could lead to a £500 fine or even an arrest and prosecution.
The areas covered by the restriction order are: High Street (from the Cross to West End Chip Shop, Leigh Road (from the Unity Club to the High Street), the Library Garden, the Bowling Green (opposite Clarks’ headquarters), Merriman Park, Wraxall Park, Woods Batch Recreation Ground, Bovemoor Park and all public car parks. New alcohol restriction signs have been placed at each of the areas.
Mendip District Council’s community safety officer, Jenny Davies, said: "This new order is a real boost for the community of Street, and gives the police and local authorities a new tool in combating alcohol-related problems. Other restriction orders are already operating in Glastonbury and Wells, and now Street is Mendip’s newest area to come on board. The police, Pubwatch scheme and other local authorities have welcomed this new order and we look forward to reaping the benefits it brings."
Councillor says
Harvey Siggs, who is Mendip District Council’s portfolio holder for community and regeneration, said: "One of Mendip District Council’s key aims is for safer, cleaner streets, and these alcohol restriction zones will go someway to helping that.
"It will enable the council, working in partnership with Street Parish Council and other agencies, to continue reducing the amount of crime in the district while helping to improve the quality of life for those who work, live and visit Street by helping to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol consumption."
Street Parish Council chairman, Bryan Beha, who is also a district councillor for the village, said: "As well as the police and local authorities enforcing these new zones, we must stress the important role that parents must take to make this a success. We must ensure that young people under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy alcohol or have it bought for them. The Validate card scheme is a further valuable tool in making sure that the age of young people can be verified by local shops and businesses."
Details
The order has been made under section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. A similar alcohol restriction order was brought in, in nearby Glastonbury, in 2004. Wells and Shepton Mallet also have alcohol restriction zones, and a similar scheme is being introduced in Frome. Validate is a voluntary proof of age card that aims to ensure that age restricted products are only sold to those legally entitled to buy them; it also helps those who may look younger than they are to prove their age.
