‘EXCLUSION ZONE’ SET IN BOROUGH BOOZE BAN
A BOROUGH-WIDE ban on booze-fuelled trouble should help ease the ‘concerning’ situation across the two towns.
A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will come into force this month and set an ‘exclusion zone’ across the two towns aimed at tackling alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in public places.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s cabinet rubberstamped the PSPO which could lead to those caught committing booze-related anti-social behaviour being given a £100 fine.
Rachel Jackson, communities manager at the Town Hall, explained: “A PSPO aims to address activities carried out within a public open space which are considered likely to have a detrimental effect upon the quality of life for the local community.
“It is widely understood that, in the borough, alcohol-related crime and disorder in open spaces linked to the consumption of alcohol is a concern.”
She added that the council undertook a public consultation into bringing in the PSPO and it was given the thumbs-up, something which was welcomed by Councillor Rob Tromans, who said: “As we can see by the consultation results, clearly there is an overwhelming proportion of people very much in favour of a PSPO being introduced, specifically for alcohol.
“As I have spoken at council several times in the past about the use of PSPOs in the borough, I am very pleased this is coming forward, if a little late in the day.
“I hope that it will be the start of a wider use of PSPOs and the other powers that are in the act.”
Cllr Gwynne Pomfrett, cabinet member for central services, said that the new PSPO will come into place as a replacement for the existing Designated Public Place Order (DPPO).
Rules within the new PSPO include:
Not using alcohol in an antisocial manner within the exclusion zone
Not using alcohol in an antisocial manner outside of designated licenced premises or at licensed events.
People who breach the order should surrender alcohol to an authorised person, such a police officer, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) or a council officer.
If given the green light, the PSPO is set to go live next month and be in place for three years. It was back in 2007 when Nuneaton and Bedworth was one of just a handful of areas across the country to be covered by a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO). This means that anyone caught drinking and causing trouble or anti-social behaviour risks having their booze confiscated by the police.