Islwyn areas could have drink ban (From Campaign Series)

Islwyn areas could have drink ban

5:06pm Friday 5th February 2010

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LOCAL people in eight parts of the former Islwyn are being asked their views on proposed alcohol control zones.

At a Caerphilly council Living Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday councillors agreed to go out to consultation to decide whether to make eight more areas in the borough alcohol control zones.

This would mean it will be an offence for an adult to drink alcohol in public in those areas after being asked by a police officer not to do so.

There are already 29 alcohol control areas in Caerphilly borough including parts of Pontllanfraith, Phillipstown and New Tredegar.

Councillors are now proposing to make locations in Risca, Croespenmaen, Trinant, Blackwood, Oakdale, Cefn Fforest, Abercarn and Cwmcarn alcohol control areas too.

Under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 local authorities have the power to designate public areas as alcohol control areas through the introduction of a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO).

This also means police have the power to seize any open or sealed containers. If people fail to comply with the order they can be arrested.

Consultation on the proposed areas will now take place with bodies including local police, community councils and licensees.

The results will then be reported back to a future meeting of the Living Environment Scrutiny Committee for approval before a report is forwarded to the cabinet for a final decision.

The law does not allow a county-borough wide ban on public drinking and it is also the case that DPPOs are only necessary to tackle nuisance public drinking by people over the age of 18.

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