Tough fine to crack down on anti-social behaviour

YOUTHS caught with alcohol in parts of Saltash and Millbrook could face a fine of up to £500 under tough new measures.

Caradon councillors voted to introduce a designated public places order (DPPO) in the two South East Cornwall towns at the full council meeting last week.

The orders are designed to curb anti-social behaviour and improve residents' safety.

They will be effective in Saltash's Fore Street, St Stephens Road and Victoria Gardens and Millbrook's skateboard park.

Saltash mayor Derek Holley said: "We're really pleased about it; it'll help the police who now have a little bit more assistance in policing the town."

Police have the power to confiscate alcohol from anyone drinking within a DPPO area.

It is not an offence to consume alcohol within an area, but failure to comply with requests to stop drinking and surrender alcohol is.

Refusal could result in a fine, up to a maximum of £500.

Saltash Town Council initially applied for an alcohol control area within the town centre to help improve safety and the environment for local people.

According to a problem profile report presented by police in July, there were 106 drink-related crimes and 488 relevant anti-social behaviour incidents in the town centre between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006.

Millbrook Parish Council submitted a request to cover the village skateboard park. Anti-social behaviour had been noted as a problem in the area with youths and groups being a nuisance.

In a report, police said there had been a notable increase in the number of anti-social incidents reported at the skateboard park during 2007.

Police already have the power to confiscate alcohol from youngsters under the age of 18 but a DPPO will now help police control alcohol consumption within the defined area of other age groups.

Conservative prospective MP for South East Cornwall and district councillor for Millbrook Cllr Sheryll Murray said: "I have received a number of complaints from people living around this area about anti-social behaviour and this order will help the police to control the consumption of alcohol by persons over the age of 19 years within the designated area and will hopefully impact upon anti-social behaviour in the area."

Both orders are due to come into force on December 15.