The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Street drinkers are flouting ‘no booze’ rules in park, claims MP
Expresses concerns
Police need to do more to stop street drinkers guzzling booze in Peterborough’s Central Park, city MP Stewart Jackson has claimed. The concerned politician took to the social media website Twitter to voice his fears about Eastern European street drinkers gathering in the popular park and breaching the area’s Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) by boozing.
Mr Jackson said: “The police need to enforce the DPPO in Central Park. We don’t want Eastern European street drinkers in the park.
“There have been a number of Eastern European youths in the park and surrounding area and they are flouting the DPPO which is there to stop this type of drinking in a public place.”
But police say they are enforcing the order and taking further action as well.
Sergeant Warren Bottell said: “Central Park has been a priority for us since the last neighbourhood panel meeting in December and we have been carrying out regular patrols.
“We are aware of the issues around street drinking and will take action if there is any suspected breach of a DPPO. Last month a group of youths was dispersed by officers, had alcohol confiscated and a penalty notice issued.
“This year there have also been arrests made in the park area for going equipped, drug offences, robbery and assault.”
Tony Forster, chairman of the Friends of Central Park group said: “I’m not aware of any recent incidents of drinkers boozing in the park but it has been a problem previously and it does tend to become an issue when the days get warmer in spring.
“We all want Central Park to be a place where people can come and enjoy themselves in a safe environment and the majority of visitors respect the rules.
“There are signs up around the park outlining the DPPO - but these are all written in English and it could be the case that people from other countries are not aware of the regulations.”
Anyone who witnesses alcohol being drunk in the park can contact police on 101.