Friday, 10th February 2012

Police street drinking plan ‘not working’

Residents believe street drinking has not improved in Dawley despite new powers being introduced in September.

A Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) was launched in Dawley Magna in September after consultations with people in the area.

The DPPO is designed to give police powers to stop people drinking alcohol in the street immediately if their behaviour is offensive or anti-social.

If anyone breaches regulations they could face arrest, a fixed penalty, or be brought before a court and fined up to £500.

But nearly two months later and it is thought the DPPO has not improved the problems.

Vic Tonks, borough councillor for Dawley Magna, said: “I have had people who have come up to me and say it has not improved.

“I think that it is a very mixed situation at the moment. The DPPO hasn’t cleared it up.

“I believe things have improved but hasn’t had the effect as yet. It is early days yet.”

David Wright , Telford MP,said: “I am concerned that the issue of street drinking in Dawley seems to have been kicked into the long grass as people are still drinking in the street and shoppers feel intimidated.

“It is just not on. It’s vital the council review this issue and that Dawley has a proper, enforceable drinking ban.”

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said it’s too early to say whether the introduction of the DPPO has made a difference.

He said: “I would remind local people that they should continue to contact us if they have concerns about the use of alcohol in the area.

“We will do all we can to crack down on anyone flouting the regulations that are in place.

“Our Local Policing Team will continue to monitor the situation through high visibility patrols and I can confirm that a number of youths have had alcohol taken off them recently for under-age drinking in and around the High Street.”

Councillor Jacqui Seymour, cabinet member for adults and community protection, said: “We would urge anyone who sees incidents of alcohol related anti-social behaviour to call the police.”