Designated Public Places Order Comes Into Effect

A Designated Public Places Order, which will control the consumption of alcohol in public places in specified areas, will be introduced by Dover District Council with effect from 1st February 2007. The order is commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as an alcohol exclusion zone.

The effect of the order is that a Police Constable may require a person to stop drinking alcohol in a public place within the designated area. Any person so required, but who refuses to stop, commits an offence which could result in them being arrested. Drinking alcohol in a designated area is not in itself an offence. The offence is created if any person refuses to stop drinking once required to do so by a Police Constable. Any enforcement of this law is carried out entirely at the discretion of the police.

This order has been made following analysis of relevant crimes and extensive consultation with the public. The relevant work was undertaken by Dover District Council's Community Safety Unit.

The order will apply to all public places lying within the boundaries of Dover, encompassing Castle, Town and Pier, Maxton, Elms Vale and Priory, Tower Hamlets, Saint Radigunds, Buckland and Whitfield wards; Deal, encompassing Walmer, Mill Hill, Middle Deal and Sholden and North Deal wards, Sandwich and the following parishes: Ash, Aylesham, Eastry, Eythorne, Guston, Ringwould/Kingsdown, River, St. Margaret's, Shepherdswell, Temple Ewell and Wingham. Signs are being placed across the district to indicate designated areas.

Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, DDC Cabinet Member for Citizenship said: "We are working hard with our partners in the community to improve quality of life throughout the area. The Designated Public Places Order updates and expands upon a number of existing bylaws and will help us work to tackle anti-social behaviour in the district."

Chief Inspector Roy Cottam, Kent Police, said: "Kent Police welcomes this measure which provides us with an additional tool to use when combating anti-social behaviour."

For more information, you can log onto the Dover District Council website at www.dover.gov.uk/asb.