Booze ban zone misses trouble hotspots (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Booze ban zone misses trouble hotspots

BOOZE could be banned on the streets of Cirencester town centre by the end of next month if detailed plans are approved.

But some of the town's most notorious troublespots are not included in the so-called 'alcohol-free zone', which is due to be discussed by councillors today.

And some local councillors fear drunken troublemakers could move into surrounding residential streets.

The planned zone, which has been drawn up following discussions between the police, Cirencester Town and Cotswold District councils covers an area from the Abbey Grounds in the north to St Michael's Park in the south and takes in Victoria Road, Watermoor Road, Ashcroft Road and streets in between.

The move is designed to keep layabouts and under-age drinkers off the streets and will give police officers the power to take booze off people seen drinking in excluded areas.

But the planned scheme doesn't include trouble spots previously associated with drink-related problems, such as the amphitheatre, City Bank, Gloucester Street and Four Acres.

And, remarkably, although the majority of the Abbey Grounds is covered, the area north of the lake - which includes the children's playground - has also been left out.

The matter is due to be discussed by CDC's cabinet this morning and Independent councillor Sandra Price has written to members raising her concerns.

She said: "If we do it, it's got to be comprehensive. Preferably, we should cover anything within the inner ring road and maybe a few areas outside.

"For example I'd like the amphitheatre covered and I know that in the summer we get people going into the grounds of Powell's School.

"Are we tackling people who buy from off licences and take their cans and bottles into the Abbey Grounds or do we also want to tackle the issue of people leaving pubs with a drink in their hand and dropping their bottles?"

While Liberal Democrat Shirley Alexander said: "The town council did say it wanted to include all its land. We wanted it to include the amphitheatre, Two and Four Acres and an area of City Bank.

"It should also include the rest of the Abbey Grounds - it does seem very odd they haven't chosen that (north of lake) area."

Police say that as well as problems with under-age drinking, drunks are travelling into Cirencester from other areas where bans are already in force.

As well as giving them the power to confiscate booze on the spot, the new order could also lead to persistent offenders being fined up to £500.

Cirencester-based Inspector Mike Jacka says the zone has been drawn up based on consultation and incidents reported to the police.

And he says that, if it is approved today, the overall situation in the town will be closely monitored and the zone could be extended in necessary.

He said: "If there is a displacement issue we will deal with it.

"We don't want to prevent people enjoying themselves, such as those having a picnic for example - we want to tackle the anti-social element.

"I can't see the individuals we're looking to target walking very far. They like the convenience, which is why they have started coming in from places like Cheltenham.

"What we don't want to do is have a bigger exclusion zone we can't police properly and for people to say it's a waste of time."