01 July 2008
More alcohol control zones are to be introduced across the area to prevent nuisance drinking in public places, following approval of the proposals at Caerphilly county borough council's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Following discussions with colleagues at Gwent Police and considerations of various problem areas, plans were drawn up by Caerphilly council to bring in new designated public place orders (DPPO's) within the area, to aid in further reducing levels of anti social behaviour on our streets.
The DPPO's will be introduced in specific locations within:
- Blackwood
- Cefn Fforest
- Pontllanfraith
- Penllwyn
- Llanbradach
- Phillipstown
- New Tredegar
Previous reports to Caerphilly County Borough Council's Committee and Cabinet have emphasised that the legislation for DPPO introduction does not allow a comprehensive, county borough-wide ban on public drinking. In order to come to a decision on the priority areas for the new DPPO areas, Gwent Police officers worked with Caerphilly council officials to gather evidence of nuisance public drinking and put forward areas for consideration, supported by evidence that would allow for the prioritisation of these areas.
It is also the case that the measure is only required to tackle nuisance public drinking by people over the age of 18; police and other authorised officers have power to confiscate alcohol from young people under the age of 18 in any public place, without the need for it to be specifically designated, under the provisions of the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997.
Caerphilly county borough council's cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, "I very much welcome the extension of these "alcohol control zones", which should get the message across that nuisance drinking in public places is socially unacceptable, and will allow law abiding citizens to reclaim their streets from anti social drinkers.
It can, on occasions, be intimidating for people outside in their communities, especially as this activity can flare up into rowdy or violent behaviour."
Inspector Alan Webber, Head of C Division's Crime and Disorder Reduction Unit said, "DPPO legislation has assisted greatly in reducing anti social behaviour and other matters related to drinking in public places.
It also provides reassurance to the public that those areas most affected are targeted and legislation enforced."
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