Slough Borough Council has approved a recommendation to introduce Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Orders to provide police with powers to deal with public drinking.
The Slough order will come into effect on Monday 18 May 2009.
The Slough Orders, under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, do not make it an offence to drink in public areas, but identify parts of the borough where the police have the power to require a person to stop drinking alcohol in a public place, or to surrender their alcohol.
If individuals do not comply with police requests, they will be committing an offence and may be issued with a fine.
Thames Valley Police asked the council to consider introducing the Orders after identifying areas with high levels of alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Orders will cover open areas such as highways, footpaths, alleyways and parks, but do not apply to private residential gardens. Slough Areas include:
* Town Centre
* Chalvey
* Baylis
* Colnbrook
* Langley – High Street area
* Langley – James Meadow
* Langley – Springate Field area
* Britwell
* Farnham Road
* Wexham Central
* Haymill
* Cippenham Green and Cippenham Meadows
Anne Farmer, community safety and anti-social behaviour manager for Slough Borough Council, said: “I’m please the Alcohol Consumption Orders have been introduced, especially as the council is making it a priority for Slough to be a better place to live, work and play.
“The Orders will allow the police to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by individuals drinking in some of our public spaces.
“They will also help make Slough safer and reduce the nuisance suffered by residents and visitors to the borough.”
Cllr James Swindlehurst, commissioner for Slough neighbourhoods and renewal, said: “We’re committed to tackling anti-social behaviour, and preventing crime caused by the consumption of alcohol will help residents feel at ease in their neighbourhood.
“As part of the council’s safer community’s strategy, we want to make Slough a place residents and visitors are proud of.”
For details on the alcohol consumption in designated public places consultation visit the consultaiton page on this site.
For more information, contact the community safety team on 0845 605 2222 or communitysafety@slough.gov.uk.
Slough Borough Council.
