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Last orders for street boozers in festive ban

Dale Haslam
7/12/2004

A STREET-drinking ban could be in place in time for Christmas, giving police extra powers to crack down on crime.

It would ban anyone from carrying open alcohol containers on streets in all urban areas of Rochdale and allow officers to confiscate drink, issue on-the-spot fines and arrest those who do not co-operate.

Police chiefs said reports of violent crime and serious woundings have fallen since the same initiative started in the town centre. They said they were confident it would produce similar results when it goes townwide.

But the idea must first gain support from the regulatory committee, which was due to meet last night. It must then get Home Office backing.

Crime councillor Lynne Brosnan said: "It is absolutely crucial we get this in before Christmas because it is a notorious time of year for alcohol-related incidents.

"People are out drinking a lot more than they do all year round and violence comes out of that.

"It will be a massive boost for police trying to keep order in a time of celebration."

Superintendant Mark Granby said: "The street drinking ban is another vital tool in the box of frontline officers trying to reduce crime that hits at the heart of our community.

"I am delighted we are making progress on this issue and hopefully it will be with us by Christmas."

He added: "We have seen a lot of success with this initiative in the town centre.

"It has reduced the number of violent and anti-social behaviour incidents taking place.

"We have also seen a reduction in the number of serious woundings in the town centre, which goes hand in hand with officers making sure people do not have bottles or other items to use as weapons."