Views sought on drink enforcement zone

Fakenham business and residents have been asked for their views on a proposed enforcement zone to combat nuisance drinking in town-centre public places.

Fakenham business and residents have been asked for their views on a proposed enforcement zone to combat nuisance drinking in town-centre public places.

North Norfolk District Council is working with Norfolk police and Fakenham Town Council to assess if a Designated Public Place Order would be a welcome move in the town.

If implemented, the order would mean any adult drinker acting aggressively or anti-socially within the designated area would be committing a criminal offence if they refused to stop drinking alcohol when asked by a police officer.

The proposed zone is bordered by Highfield Road to the north, Jubilee Avenue, Holt Road and Whitehorse Street to the east, Hempton Road to the south and Oak Street to the west.

A council spokesman said: “The order would not be a ban on drinking in the town centre, and would only apply in public areas. Private gardens, licensed beer gardens, cafes and other similar premises would not be affected.”

Licence-holders, pub-goers and property owners within the proposed area have been urged to make their feelings known after the district council's cabinet agreed to proceed with a consultation on March 2.

The cabinet will decide in May whether to grant the order, after considering responses from the 28-day public consultation which began on Thursday.

If agreed, the proposal would come into effect in June.

The plans and a full map of the proposed designated area are available at Fakenham Connect on Oak Street, at North Norfolk District Council's head office on Holt Road in Cromer, or online at www.northnorfolk.org/community/3806.asp