NEWS RELEASE
PR 1708
For Immediate
Release
21 April 2004
New powers to
control street drinking
PHOTO
OPPORTUNITY
NEW powers adopted by Bath and North
East Somerset Council to enable the Police to control anti social
behaviour caused by alcohol on the streets of Bath come into effect
from Friday, April 23.
The Council has designated the whole
of Bath city a no street drinking zone under powers in the Criminal
Justice and Police Act 2001.
The powers mean that if a Police
Officer believes that someone is or has been consuming alcohol or
intends to consume alcohol in a public place they can require them
not to drink it, and can seize and dispose of any alcohol which they
are carrying.
It will be a criminal offence to
refuse to comply without a reasonable excuse.
The powers will be used where there
is a risk of anti social behaviour occurring. They apply in any
public place in the Bath city area. This does not include seating
outside bars or cafés where customers have bought alcohol on the
premises, or outdoor licensed events.
Avon and Somerset Police will
initially target hotspots for nuisance and disorder in Bath city
centre.
Cllr Vic Pritchard, Executive Member
for Community Safety and Housing, said: “Bath & North East Somerset
Council knows that alcohol related anti social behaviour is a
concern to residents, visitors and businesses to Bath.
“We don’t want to stop people
enjoying a quiet drink with family or friends however people should
be able to enjoy their time in the city without being harassed and
intimidated.”
Inspector Paul Mogg of Bath Police,
said: “The new powers will enable the Police to respond to potential
problems of anti social behaviour before they escalate into more
serious offences.
“By simply removing the fuel
(alcohol) at an early stage in the proceedings I am confident that
the displays of alcohol related anti social behaviour that we saw
last summer will be significantly reduced.”
Note to Editors:
Cllr Pritchard and Inspector Mogg
will view the signs which have been put up advising people of the
new powers at 12.30pm on Wednesday, April 21 at Kingston Parade (by
the corner of the Roman Baths, opposite the Tourist Information
office). Photographers and reporters are invited to attend.
For more
information, contact:
Inge Shepherd,
Team Manager, Community Safety and Drugs Action, on Tel: 01225
477415 or 07760 477905 or e-mail inge_shepherd@bathnes.gov.uk
For comment,
contact:
Cllr Vic
Pritchard, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety, on
Tel: 01275 333159 or e-mail vic_pritchard@bathnes.gov.uk
Inspector Paul Mogg, Bath Police
Station, on Tel: 01225 842425 or
paul.mogg@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk
Issued by: Bath & North East
Somerset Press Office, tel 01225 477827 or 477283, email:
pressoffice@bathnes.gov.uk |
