Residents welcome proposed drinking ban

1:24pm Wednesday 3rd September 2008

PROPOSED measures to stop people drinking alcohol in public in Abingdon have been welcomed by residents fed up with drunken behaviour in the town.

A public consultation has started this week into the Abingdon Designated Public Places Order, which will give police powers to arrest people drinking in a public place anywhere in the town.

The consultation will run until September 25 and then a decision on whether to bring in an alcohol ban will be made by Vale of White Horse district councillors.

The order would mean that police officers could confiscate alcohol from any person acting anti-socially.

Current laws mean that police can do this if the alcohol is in a glass or open bottle, but not if it is in a sealed container.

Simply drinking in a public place will not be an offence.

The district council hopes that by including the whole of the town in the order, it will prevent problems from being displaced.

Acting Chief Inspector Matt Bullivant, of Thames Valley Police, said: "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 anti-social behaviour."

Noel Boyle, who lives in Audlett Drive, said: "I think it's a very good idea - I really do - especially in and around the precinct and down the upper half of Ock Street.

"Sometimes you can go down there at 10pm and there are people all over the place.

"That sort of behaviour raises its ugly head now and then, but it shouldn't do."

The pensioner added that a bigger police presence was needed in Abingdon to enforce the order: He said: "If the police are not there to back it up in numbers and make arrests, it is no good giving these people warnings time and time again - the police have got to be seen to playing their part as well."

Craig Gordon, 51, of Faringdon Road, said: "I think it is probably an extremely good idea. The numbers of youths you see walking down the precinct lagered up or worse is bad, and they tend to be intimidating.

"It's not the fact that the young kids who are drunk are underage, as we have all done it, but it tends to be the less desirable types who get loud-mouthed and 'lairy', and it gives an unpleasant feel to the whole place."

Ock Street resident Peter Green, 66, added: "It's just to show that anti-social behaviour caused through drink is not acceptable. It will give police the powers when they need them."

In a police report on crime in Abingdon, it was found that 43 per cent of nuisance incidents - including criminal damage and public order offences - were linked to alcohol.

Julie Mayhew-Archer, deputy leader of Abingdon Town Council, said: "We are supporting it."