Alcohol Exclusion Order For Shrewsbury Fields

An alcohol exclusion zone is set to be put in place in two fields near Shrewsbury's Quarry park to tackle underage drinking in the area.

A designated public place order has already been in place in The Quarry itself for a number of years following historical complaints of youths drinking and behaving in an anti-social manner.

While successfully reducing problems in the park and it is now common knowledge among youngsters that they cannot congregate, ‘get drunk' and cause a nuisance in The Quarry, the issue has displaced across the river into Beck and Burrs Fields.

The Porthill and Bowbrook Local Policing Team has worked with residents, Shropshire Council, youth workers, Shrewsbury School and the local joint committee to tackle the problem and an action group was set up.

A designated public place order has now been applied for to cover both fields and is set to be finalised by Shropshire Council next week.

The order grants police and community support officers, or any other accredited persons such as community protection officers, the power to ask any person drinking alcohol in the area to stop and/or surrender any alcohol in that person's possession.

Anyone who refuses to comply with the request commits an offence and could be liable to prosecution.

Constable Mike Dulson, Local Policing Officer for the area, said the order was not intended to be a comprehensive ban on drinking in the open air.

"It is designed to eliminate anti-social drinking and resulting behaviour that causes a nuisance to those living in the area," he said.

"Those who cause the problems come from all over Shrewsbury, especially around the time schools break up for the holidays.

"Signs will be placed in the area informing people of the order and we will be making patrols and confiscating any alcohol from underage drinkers or those who otherwise cause a nuisance."

Reducing anti-social behaviour is a high priority for West Mercia Police. Our aim is to raise awareness of the impact anti-social behaviour can have on others and encourage communities to respect and tolerate each other.

Communities can play an active role in identifying and reducing ASB by providing us with valuable information about what is happening in their area.

If you have any information or concerns, you can raise them by:

• Attending your local PACT meeting, surgery or event.
• Calling 0300 333 3000 to speak to your local policing team.
• Emailing your local policing team via the force website www.westmercia.police.uk
• Calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to report information anonymously.

To find out more about PACT activities in your area visit our Local Policing pages or call 0300 333 3000.

Issued: Friday 30 July 2010