Street drinkers could be fined £500
Drinkers involved in anti-social behaviour in Bolton could have their alcohol confiscated or face a fine of up to £500 anywhere in the borough if they are caught drinking on the streets.
This follows a decision by Bolton Council’s Licencing and Environmental Regulation Committee (LERC) to introduce a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) for ALL areas of Bolton. It enables the council, working with the police, to control the consumption of alcohol in public even more effectively, and to reduce alcohol related anti-social behaviour across Bolton.
Previously the council had introduced DPPOs to ten specific areas of the borough but each time one was introduced the cost was around £5000.
Full consultation has taken place prior to the introduction of the borough-wide DPPO and the move also follows the decision at the recent Bolton Vision Conference to develop a new borough Alcohol Strategy, led by Superintendent David Hull and the Director of Public Health, Wendy Meredith.
Bolton Council Executive member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Councillor Elaine Sherrington, said: "We are pleased to announce this change in DPPO practice in Bolton which will have far-reaching consequences. Areas of the town where DPPOs have previously operated have seen falls in anti-social behaviour of up to 41% year on year.
"As well as saving taxpayers’ money, a borough-wide DPPO will also link in with the council’s long-term health aims for people across the borough; changing attitudes to the consumption of alcohol, especially amongst the young, so it is an important development as we begin work on our new Alcohol Strategy.”
"Before making our decision we consulted widely – with the police, parish and community councils, all Bolton licencees and the general public. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to engage with us and I am delighted to report that no objections were received to our plans.”
Commenting on the plans, Superintendent Phil Davies of Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton Division added: "This is not about stopping people having a good time but ensuring that they do so in a way that does not affect the quality of life for others. Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour can be upsetting for the majority of law-abiding people and the DPPO is great news for residents whose lives have been made a misery by street drinking.
"The order has been welcomed by officers as it will allow them to deal robustly with drink-related issues as they arise. It also sends out a very clear message that intimidating and destructive behaviour fuelled by alcohol will not be tolerated.”
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