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Alcohol ban plan to cut trouble
2:59pm Monday 1st September 2008
Measures to stop people drinking alcohol in public in Abingdon look more likely, after police linked almost half of all incidents of bad behaviour to drink.
Public consultation will start this week into the Abingdon Designated Public Places Order, which will give police the power to arrest anyone who refuses to stop drinking.
The consultation will run until September 25, although the police and council expect the move to go ahead.
According to the police, 43 per cent of nuisance incidents - including criminal damage and public order offences - in the town were linked to alcohol.
If implemented, the order would mean officers could confiscate alcohol if someone was acting antisocially.
Current laws mean that police cannot do this if the alcohol is in a sealed container. Simply drinking in a public place will not be an offence.
Acting Chief Inspector Matt Bullivant, of Thames Valley Police, said: "Measures put in place that assist the police in tackling and reducing incidents of antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related crime are welcome.
"A key part of neighbourhood policing is to ensure that we respond to the needs of the community, and such an order will ensure that the police can swiftly respond to reported incidents of antisocial behaviour."
Thames Valley Police asked the Vale of White Horse District Council to implement the order.
Richard Webber, the council's executive member for community safety, said: "We want Abingdon to be a vibrant town and a place where people can enjoy spending time relaxing and socialising.
"This order will enhance that and is nothing to worry about if your enjoyment isn't at the cost of someone else's."
Julie Mayhew-Archer, deputy leader of Abingdon Town Council, added: "This is a sensible ban on antisocial behaviour caused by alcohol, not a ban on drinking alcohol.
"The council welcomes the decision to make the designated area the whole of the town, not just parts of it."
Your Say YourOxfordshire
ady, drabingdon says...
6:07pm Mon 1 Sep 08
axing,all these things used to happen here until the mid 90s when the council all went pc, get a life councillors and wake up to the real world and get the traders back and the pubs come to think of it.....
peter, abingdon says...
9:24am Tue 2 Sep 08
what has that got to do with the price of fish?
doozer, abingdon says...
11:06am Tue 2 Sep 08
peter wrote:Peter; I think the link to the price of fish is that, in the article and indeed the article itself,in a roundabout kinda way talks about the 'alcohol ban/antisocal behaviour' crack down being done in order to help make Abingdon a vibrant place. This is wonderful news that people - Richard Webber for instance have such vision for our Town. The problem is it feels that other 'councillors' don't share this vision. There is no evidence that the council wants a vibrant town. Or indeed, if there is, we'd all like to see it. For example ABits and the Old Gaol...ongoing issues that are still unresolved to 'the Publics' satisfaction. Charging to park in a struggling town, over zealous parking enforcement - in a strggling town, An antique and Collectors market that is ready to go but not given the go-ahead. All these issues and more create a missmatch between the article cntent premoting a vibrancy that isn't shared accross the council. But please please tell me/show me I'm wrong... And whilst you're talking about fish, a fishmongers would be good too!
adv what has that got to do with the price of fish?
Graham, OXON says...
11:18am Tue 2 Sep 08
Let's get rid of our new (hugely expensive) absentee CEO, who'll no doubt simply continue to look after his vested interests in South Oxfordshire, and use the money saved to bring in an admin support team to back up Richard Webber, who seems to be speaking more sense than we've heard from an elected politician for a very long time in the Vale!
CB, Abingdon says...
11:55am Tue 2 Sep 08
But the fancy new Ask (Italian) has opened finally done something with the building. I noticed a blue plaque, given way back in 1989, from VOWHDC.
peter, abingdon says...
2:13pm Tue 2 Sep 08
still cannot see what the council 'going all PC'; has to do with the fortunes of Abingdon? Just waiting for the enivitable immigrant bashing comment...
ASK, a chain, but still a good thing
doozer, Abingdon says...
2:45pm Tue 2 Sep 08
peter wrote:Hi Peter, Now I don't understand? Where is this 'PC' bit coming from? Surely there's nothing 'PC' in stopping drinking if it causes antisocail behaviour? That's actually common sense - isn't it? Personnaly I don't see why any of this needs to be alcohol targeted. If you are acting antisocially then you should reap the wrath of our law enforcement agency. Unfortunately that's not the case (that's probably more to do with the PC brigade!). Not too interested in the immigrant bashing especially as I , like most of us, can trace 2,3 or 4 generations back will see we're "not from round these paaaarts". If you are scum and treat the town and it's people with little or no respect then you should be very afraid of the 'authorities' - no matter where you is from. Yet again..."who's afraid of the big bad wolf?"...only the law abiders...not the trouble makers. Shame. ASK...yep, a good thing; not only are their pizzas nicer than Pizza Express they always used to be cheaper, and there knives can cut pizza dough! Who nose, perhaps we'll have a pizza price war on our hands!!
doozer/adv still cannot see what the council 'going all PC'; has to do with the fortunes of Abingdon? Just waiting for the enivitable immigrant bashing comment... ASK, a chain, but still a good thing
peter, abingdon says...
3:20pm Tue 2 Sep 08
I do actually think the alcohol ban is a good thing, there is an element of seediness with the street drinking, (we had someone **** up, peeing on our doorstep on Monday at 4 in the afternoon). I just hope that is enforced, as despite massive protest at litter in town, it is rare for anyone to be fined. The pubs that serve people when they are so tanked up should be targeted. As for the PC thing, I was commenting on a remark about the 'council going all PC' I don't think the council are bright or enlightened enough to know what being PC is...
doozer, Abingdon says...
4:06pm Tue 2 Sep 08
bill, Abingdon says...
8:54pm Wed 3 Sep 08
peter wrote:This was a perfectly good derelict building 'til these immigrant dough beaters ruined it with a crappy pizza outlet.load of rubbish pete.Youre obviously a wishy-washy liberal butt wipe.
doozer/adv still cannot see what the council \\\'going all PC\\\'; has to do with the fortunes of Abingdon? Just waiting for the enivitable immigrant bashing comment... ASK, a chain, but still a good thing
Your sayYourOxfordshire
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doozer, says...
3:39pm Mon 1 Sep 08
For God's sake let's hope he has a little chat with his chums at 'the council' so Abingdon does indeed become this place he and we desire. Start with free parking, second a weekly weekend market (like the Antiques and collectors fair that's all ready to go, but won't be given the green light) etc etc.