Anti-social crackdown in Fakenham
An enforcement zone to crack down on drunken anti-social behaviour in Fakenham was approved by councillors on Monday. A designated public place order (DPPO) will be implemented in July following the decision by members of North Norfolk District Council's cabinet.
An enforcement zone to crack down on drunken anti-social behaviour in Fakenham was approved by councillors on Monday.
A designated public place order (DPPO) will be implemented in July following the decision by members of North Norfolk District Council's cabinet.
The scheme is not a ban on drinking in public, but gives police officers proactive powers to arrest anybody who refuses to comply with a request to stop drinking or hand over alcohol.
Council officers said the powers would only be enforced if drinkers acted aggressively or rowdily and ignored police instructions.
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Community safety manager Teri Munro said the scheme had received an overwhelmingly positive response during a consultation with licensees, highways officials and stakeholders.
“We never received a single objection or negative comment, but I did receive a lot of letters of support from the public and businesses,” she said. “People welcome anything that makes the night-time environment more pleasant and draws more visitors into the town.
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“People can still drink responsibly in the designated area, but it will give the police the authority to intervene early rather than wait for problems to escalate into public disorder. It is a prevention tool as well as an enforcement tool.”
The enforcement zone includes the Market Place and Bridge Street and is enclosed by boundaries extending to Highfield Road, Jubilee Avenue, Whitehorse Street and part of Holt Road.
It only applies to non-licensed areas and excludes pubs, beer gardens and private property.
During the next four weeks, signs will be put up to indicate the boundaries of the zone and to explain the new powers to drinkers in the town.
The scheme has already been successfully implemented in north Norfolk at Sheringham and North Walsham.
