Further consultation on drinking order

FURTHER consultation is underway on a proposal which would help to stop alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in an area of Llanelli.

The Community Safety Partnership, with the support of the police, is looking at introducing the county’s first Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) in Carmarthenshire.

It follows a request from the Glanymor and Tyisha Safer Communities Action Group who are concerned about anti-social behaviour incidents when those responsible are, or have been, drinking alcohol.

Public consultation was initially carried out in November last year and all those that responded supported the proposal. The town council and licence holders within the proposed area were also asked for their views.

The partnership is now consulting with the public again as part of the legislative process. Responses received previously have asked for the proposed area – which included the length of Station Road and the surrounding area as well as People’s Park – to be extended to some other recreational areas and the remainder of the Tyisha ward.

If given the go ahead, the DPPO will give the police the power to stop someone drinking alcohol in a public place or to confiscate alcohol if the person is judged to be behaving or about to behave anti-socially.

Those who refuse to comply could be issued with a fixed penalty notice or arrested and fined up to £500.

Partnership Inspector Eric Evans said he supported the DPPO in the interests of making Llanelli a more welcoming place for residents and visitors.

He added: “There is a strong correlation between violence and alcohol, and anything which reduces instances of anti-social behaviour and violent crime is something to be welcomed.”

The Community Safety Partnership is working hard to tackle alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour and a number of initiatives are underway across the county.

Council Deputy Leader Cllr Pam Palmer, who has responsibility for community safety, said: “We work very closely with police to tackle the problem of drunken offenders who cannot behave in public places and who spoil it for others; but there are a range of new powers and tools that are available and if used as part of a package of measures to reduce alcohol-related disorder these initiatives could make a real difference to safety on our streets.

“It is important that we consult with the community which will be affected by the proposed DPPO. Any feedback we get can then be taken into consideration before any final decisions are made.”

If the DPPO is supported, it will be considered at a meeting of the county council and, if given the given the go ahead, will be implemented as soon as is practical.

Further information is available at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk and at Ty Elwyn, Llanelli. To have your say on the order visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk; email communitysafety@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or write to Community Safety Manager Kate Thomas, Ammanford Police Station, Foundry Road, Ammanford SA18 2LS by September 7.