Warwick District - restricted drinking zone
Warwick District Council has agreed in principle to make a district-wide restricted drinking zone.
This will mean making an Order identifying all public places in the District as designated public places under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.
A public place is defined as ‘any place to which the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission’.
The Order, if made, will allow a police officer or a police community support officer to require a person in a designated public place not to drink alcohol in that place if the officer reasonably believes that a person has consumed alcohol or intends to do so, and to surrender the alcohol and any opened or sealed containers in the person’s possession.
Any person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a constable’s request under this provision may commit an offence and be liable to prosecution. The order will not apply to premises with licences to sell alcohol.
Pete Cutts, Community Safety Manager at the Council said; "It is recognised nationally that alcohol consumption is a major contributory factor to anti-social behaviour, violence and criminal damage.
"Alcohol abuse in Warwick District is a major and consistent public concern. There is support for the making of further orders covering specific areas in the District.
"However the making of further Orders for specific areas could cause displacement, would be confusing to the public and would be more difficult for the Council to enforce. In the circumstances the Council has agreed in principle to make an order covering the whole district."
There are already similar orders in force in respect of streets in Leamington, Kenilworth, Warwick, Lillington and Whitnash. The existing orders also include some open spaces, parks, and car parks in Leamington, Warwick Kenilworth and Whitnash and privately owned land like railway stations Warwick Hospital and the NAC.
If the new order is made the existing orders will be revoked on the day the Order comes into effect. However, all the places covered by the previous orders will on that date be covered by the new order and the same provisions will apply.
Mr Cutts emphasises that the making of the Order will not be an outright ban on drinking alcohol. It will, however, give the Police the power to stop people drinking if those persons are causing a problem or are likely to cause a problem.
Before making the Order the Council must carry out a consulation exercise.
Objections to the order or any comments on it should be made to Pete Cutts at Riverside House or emailed to pete.cutts@warwickdc.gov.uk.