Alcohol controls come into force

Archived press release

Date Published: 14/08/08

AVDC has put up signs across the town

New powers to help control anti-social drinking in Aylesbury have come into force.

Over the past few days, Aylesbury Vale District Council has put up signs across the town to warn people that they are entering an area where the police have the authority to control the consumption of alcohol.

Under the Designated Public Place Orders (DPPOs), it is not an offence to consume alcohol, but police can ask people to stop drinking and also confiscate it. If a police officer’s request is refused without a reasonable excuse, drinkers are liable to prosecution and can be fined up to £500.

The council has designated 23 specified areas within Aylesbury as ‘public places’ where the new police powers apply. Before adopting these new powers, the council consulted the police, local residents, licensees and landowners.

Councillor Judy Brandis, Chairman of the AVDC Licensing Committee, said: “We believe that the DPPOs will prove to be a vital tool for the police when dealing with alcohol-related issues in Aylesbury. The orders will not affect peaceful family picnics, only individuals whose behaviour is anti-social. We are determined to make the district a safe place to live, work and visit and this is another example of the council using the powers at our disposal to help achieve that aim.”

Deputy Commander for Aylesbury Vale Local Police Area, Acting Chief Inspector Dave Gilbert said: “Alcohol often plays a role in anti-social behaviour, which we are tackling as a priority because residents have told our neighbourhood policing teams in Aylesbury that it is their biggest concern. This is only one of the measures we have taken together with the district council and other partners to reduce anti-social behaviour in Aylesbury and I am confident it will make a difference.”

The order will not apply to areas within the designated zones that are within the boundary of any licensed premises, and any place where the sale of alcohol has been authorised by virtue of an occasional licence or permission.

Maps of the designated zones are available online or from the council’s High Street offices.

The DPPOs cover the areas listed below:
Aylesbury: Alfred Rose Park; Bateman Drive; Bedgrove Park and Spinney; Carlton Close; Aylesbury Cemetery; Dunsham Park; The Coppice; Cottesloe open space; Denby Walk and Victoria Park; Blackwater Drive open space; Edinburgh and Walton Court playing fields; Walton Court Centre; Elm Green; Haddington Way; Haydon Hill; Riverside Walk; Bowlers Field; Oakfield Road; Vale Park; Sommerville Way; Simpson Place; Waivers Way and Whitehill.