Tackling street drinking in the Havant Borough

 

The entire Havant Borough is now subject to an alcohol control order, thanks to the work of the Safer Havant Partnership. This order empowers the Police, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Accredited Community Support Officers (ASCOs) to remove alcohol from individuals involved in anti-social behaviour.

 

Councillor Andy Lenaghan, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Community Safety says, “The introduction of a borough-wide order sends a clear message of Havant Borough Council’s intent to listen to the communities concerns and promote a sensible drinking culture within the Borough.”

 

This is just one of a raft of measures in place to reduce alcohol related crime as anti-social drinking in the borough is of a major and consistent public concern and the anti-social behaviour that arises from it contributes to the fear of crime, as well as creating areas that are no longer used by the general public.

 

A Designated Public Places Order is made by a local authority under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Under Section 12 of the same act if an officer reasonably believes that a person is, or has been consuming alcohol in a designated area, or intends to do so they can require the person not to consume alcohol and that they handover any alcohol or container for alcohol in their possession. Failure to do so, without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence and the maximum fine on conviction in the Magistrates court is £500.

 

“Tackling street drinking and anti-social behaviour is a priority for Havant Borough Council and the Safer Havant Partnership. It is hoped that by introducing an order covering the whole borough will offer the best opportunity for tackling alcohol related crime and disorder. It will present a consistent approach for the whole borough thus avoiding confusion and uncertainty.” says Tim Pointer, Community Safety Team Leader at Havant Borough Council.

 

Chief Inspector Will Schofield of Havant Police says “Drinking in public places is a major factor in anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and nuisance and public place violent crime. It also increases the fear of crime further deterioration of public areas and acts as a catalyst for an increase in incidents of alcohol and drug abuse and more serious crimes.

 

This order will provide the necessary powers to enable my officers to be more proactive in tackling these issues. We treat each case on its merits and will only exercise Section 12 powers in relation to ‘problem’ drinking, that is, where accompanied by anti-social behaviour or disorder of the likelihood of anti-social behaviour or disorder.”

 

Link to more information on the work that the Partnership are doing to tackle alcohol issues >>