DRINKING in public places has been banned across a large part of Llanelli town centre in a move to tackled alcohol related anti-social behaviour and disorder.
Carmarthenshire County Council has agreed the first Designated Public Place Order in Carmarthenshire to cover an area including Elli, Tyisha and Glanymor.
An application was received from the Safer Communities Action Group in Glanymor and Tyisha asking that the council makes an Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order, under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, in relation to parts of Llanelli town, specifically Station Road and Maesygors.
The proposals were considered by the Community Safety Partnership and the county council which assessed the level of alcohol-related drinking and disorder in the area and, following consultation with partners and the public, a map was drawn up extending the area beyond that originally requested.
The scheme has been approved by the county council after it was shown there was support for a DPPO to be used to supplement other police powers to tackle anti-social alcohol related drinking and disorder in public areas.
Community Safety Manager Kate Thomas said: “This is the first Designated Public Place Order in Carmarthenshire. The request for the order was supported by the police and there was evidence to support the need for such an Order. It will be reviewed after a year to ensure that it is being effective in addressing local problems and covers the areas it needs to.”
Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for the Community Safety Partnership Cllr Pam Palmer said: “This Designated Public Place Order has been established at the request of the local community.
“It is designed to be an additional power for the police to tackle drink-related disorder in the centre of Llanelli.”
Making a designation as a controlled drinking zone provides the police with the power to require a person not to drink alcohol and to surrender any alcohol or alcohol containers (other than sealed containers) in their possession.
Although it is not an offence to drink alcohol in a designated area, failure with an officer’s requirements in respect of public drinking or surrender of alcohol, without reasonable excuse, is an arrestable offence and can result in a fine of up to £500.
The process does not prohibit consumption of alcohol in a public place where it is authorised.
Signs confirm there is a DPPO in place affecting that area.
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