ALCOHOL- FREE ZONES

A ban on drinking in the streets, aimed at combating crime and anti-social behaviour in an area north of Derby city centre, looks set to be given the go-ahead. Derby City Council is expected to designate the North Parade area as an alcohol-free zone at a full council meeting. In September, 2001, the Government introduced new powers for local authorities to restrict anti-social drinking in public places by designating a specific area as an alcohol free zone. If the bylaw is approved by the committee, police will be able to stop people from drinking in a residential area and confiscate alcohol.

If the rules are not obeyed, officers will have the power to make an arrest. Currently, police officers do not have the powers to arrest someone just for drinking alcohol in the street. They can arrest someone suspected of being drunk and disorderly, or whose behaviour could be described as drunk and incapable. The proposed alcohol-free zone would include North Parade, Bath Street, River Street, Buchanan Street, Well Street, Handyside Street, Darley Lane, Duke Street, Arthur Street, Edward Street, Henry Street, North Street, Garden Street, Kingsmead Close, Parker Close and Kedleston Street.

Plans for an alcohol-free zone have been welcomed by residents and businesses in the area. Sergeant Martin Critchley, of Derbyshire police, said that although there had been incidents of anti-social behaviour in the past in the North Parade area, there was not such a big problem at the moment. "It would definitely help to make the area better for everybody," he said. If approved, the city council will spend about £1,000 on putting up signs to inform members of the public of the alcohol-free zone.

Alcohol-free zones are already in force in Spondon and Sinfin. In April, 2001, Derby City Council put up alcohol-free zone signs in streets from Church Hill and Sitwell Street to Moor Street and Dale Road in Spondon. In 2000, the council identified the Old Sinfin Estate as a problem area after studies showed that there were 25 incidents involving alcohol in one six-month period. Other locations identified as problem areas include Alvaston and Oakwood shopping precincts, Chaddesden Park and Normanton.

Alvaston shopping centre is about to be made an alcohol-free zone after shopkeepers complained to the council and police about the behaviour of people drinking outside shops in Raynesway and Shardlow Road. Alvaston ward councillor Paul Bayliss said local retailers and councillors have been pushing for action to deal with the problem for months. "Residents object to people sitting outside drinking and this means something can be done about it," he said. "It has been a constant nuisance and doesn't encourage people to use the shops. This ban will make a big difference and is the first step towards revitalising the shopping area."

Sergeant Tim Smith said the move would link well with the increased police presence in Alvaston. He said, "This is one of many tools we have in our armoury. Anything that can help the police have an impact on alcohol-related behaviour is to be encouraged." The streets in Alvaston which would be covered include parts of London Road, Shardlow Road, Lincoln Avenue, Beckett Close, Eden Street, Raynesway, Beech Avenue, Brighton Road, Hall Street, Lichfield Drive, Harvey Road and Boulton Lane.

Normanton is to be designated an alcohol-free zone which will extend from Sacheverel Street to Pear Tree Street and Osmaston Road and Byron Street, Dale Road and Upper Dale Road It will also include the Arboretum Park. Police have the power to stop people drinking in the designated streets, car parks and open spaces within the zone, including the ability to confiscate alcohol. Under the terms of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which is being used to create the zone, the police will also have the power to arrest individuals who are drinking illegally.

The power of arrest is not available in the old alcohol-free zones, such as the one operating in Derby city centre, which were created under local government bylaws and are being phased out by the Government by December 2006. Stuart Leslie, chief legal officer for Derby City Council, said the council was gradually increasing its list of new alcohol-free zones based on priority guidance from the police. "Next on our list will be to re-do the city centre alcohol-free zone before the bylaws run out in December 2006," he said.