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Last orders for Farsley street drinkers
Police are to be given extra powers to crackdown on street drinking in Farsley.
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Council licensing chiefs have given the go ahead to measures allowing police and police community support officers to confiscate booze from people in selected streets, parks and playgrounds.
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They agreed two Designated Public Place Orders (DPPOs) could be introduced, one covering the villge as well as Kippax, Allerton Bywater and Great Preston.
The orders – which do not apply to street cafes and other authorised areas – make it an offence to drink alcohol after being asked not to by an officer.
Anyone flouting the order could be hit with a 50 on-the-spot fine or a penalty of up to 500 if the matter goes to court. A report to the council's Licensing Committee said most drink-related antisocial behaviour in Farsley town centre happened on Friday and Saturday nights.
It said in the 12 months to March 2008, 268 incidents of antisocial behaviour were reported in Farsley and 79 of them were alcohol related.
Insp Richard Cawkwell, of West Yorkshire Police, told the committee: "There's been a rise in drink-related public disorder and assaults.
"A DPPO would give use an opportunity to educate people who have created a number of issues in the Farsley area.
"The majority of licensees and the overwhelming majority of the public are in favour of the order."
Coun Mark Dobson (Lab, Garforth and Swillington) said: "We have had a DPPO in my ward for the past four years. It's not a cure-all but it is a useful tool."
Speaking in support of the Kippax order, Insp Chris Jones, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "We have 18-20-year-olds going to supermarkets to buy cases of cider or lager and then going into local parks and drinking them. This is adding to the antisocial behaviour problem.
"We have got to the position where we need extra tools to deal with the problem."
After the committee meeting, Coun James Lewis (Lab, Kippax and Methley) said people were concerned that environmental improvements, skate parks and new playgrounds were being spoilt by antisocial drinking.
He said: "We know residents in the area are very supportive and this will help the police tackle the problem."
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 19 May 2012
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