Ban the boozers (From Barry And District News)

Ban the boozers

THE VALE council met last night to decide on the introduction of a booze ban in Barry troublespots.

South Wales Police have called for a ban on the consumption of alcohol to be imposed in Broad Street, Chickenwood, Pencoedtre Park and Victoria Park in Barry, and at Llantwit Square, Lorna Hughes Park, Pound Field Shopping Area and Windmill Lane Playing Fields in Llantwit Major.

Police say drinking in these public places has led to disorder or annoyance to members of the public.

Council officers also say the ban would reduce crime and disorder and the fear of crime.

Police incident statistics provide clear evidence that there are real, not perceived, problems in these areas.

A council report on the problem warned that designating drink-ban areas may move the problem on to other areas, and that members of the public may be penalised whose behaviour is not in any way anti-social.

The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 gave local authorities the power to designate areas of public space, in which it will become an offence for any person to drink alcohol after being required by a police officer not to do so.

Failure to comply would become an arrestable offence, punishable by a fine.