“Designated Public Places Order”

South Kesteven District Council knows that alcohol-related anti-social behaviour increases people’s fear of crime and reduces quality of life for many people.

We have identified that tackling alcohol-related anti-social ehaviour is a priority for our residents and visitors to South Kesteven. After extensive discussions with Lincolnshire Police, we have decided to introduce a Designated Public Places Order to regulate the consumption of alcohol in public places, covering the area shown edged on the plan attached.

We thank residents, business and other interested parties in South Kesteven for the feedback we received. The proposal was presented to full council on 17th April and was unanimously passed. The order is planned to come into force on Monday 19th May 2008.

What is a Designated Public Places Order?

The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 gave the power for local authorities to designate public places where it will be an offence to drink alcohol after a police officer or an accredited officer told someone not to do so. The police and accredited officers will have the power to confiscate alcohol and containers, if they feel there is potential to be anti-social behaviour. Those who do not comply will be liable to arrest. The order does not cover the inside of any liquor licensed premises nor any licensed area attached to the premises, such as beer gardens. The purpose of the order is not to ban the drinking of alcohol on the streets but as one measure to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

What is being proposed?

We are proposing that an order covering the main built-up areas in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and the Deepings is put in place to provide the police and accredited officers the powers outlined above in all public places in the areas shown. Your views will be taken into consideration and we will make a final decision on the proposed order in April 2008.

If you have any queries about the Designated Public Places Order, please contact SKDC’s community safety team on 01476 40 63 37.

Sandy Kavanagh
Community Safety Officer
16/1/08

Alcohol restrictions

Designated Public Places Order

Drinking responsibly in South Kesteven

These pages give you information about what the designated public places order is and how it will affect you if drinking alcohol in open air spaces in the designated zones throughout South Kesteven.

What is a Designated Public Place Order?

The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 brought in the power for councils to make it an offence to drink alcohol in public places after being asked not to do so by a police officer or accredited officer.

This order is not a total ban on drinking alcohol in public places. It just makes it an offence to carry on drinking alcohol when asked to stop by a constable or accredited officer. This allows control to be exercised over those who by drinking in the street or in open air spaces are adversely affecting the enjoyment.

How will a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) help?

The DPPO will be imposed in order to:

  • Give police and accredited officers the power where there is repeat and persistent nuisance, clearly linked to the public drinking of alcohol
  • Enable those officers to target people who cause a nuisance when they are moving between licensed premises
  • Cut down alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in public
  • Enable police and accredited officers to tackle any nuisance in those designated areas clearly linked to the public drinking of alcohol. There will be clear public signage in these areas.

The reasons for imposing a DPPO:

  • Send a clear and consistent message that anti-social drinking is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in the main town areas in South Kesteven
  • Help make South Kesteven a place where residents and visitors to the area feel safe.

Is it a ban on drinking alcohol in public?

No. A drinker’s behaviour will be considered in any action by police and accredited officers. It is not intended to stop an individual drinking sensibly, for example if you are drinking alcohol with a picnic in a park.

Frequently asked questions

How will it affect me?

Once an order is in place a police or accredited officer (enforcement officer) has the power to ask you to stop drinking alcohol in a public place if in his/her opinion:

  • You are creating disorder or behaving in an anti-social manner when drinking or under the influence of alcohol
  • You are likely to behave in a disorderly or anti-social way when drinking or under the influence of alcohol.

What will happen if I refuse to stop drinking alcohol?

If you continue to drink when asked not to, your alcohol may be taken away and disposed of by the enforcement officer.

What if I give up my alcohol?

If you give up your alcohol and do not continue to behave in an anti-social manner, there will be no further action.

What will happen if I do not hand over my alcohol?

You may be arrested and have to pay a maximum fine of up to £500.

What will happen if I hand over my alcohol but continue to behave in an anti-social manner?

You may be arrested and convicted of a public order offence.

Does the Designated Public Places Order affect licensed premises?

The DPPO will not stop the consumption of alcohol in any area licensed for the sale and supply of alcohol during normal licensing hours and for 30 minutes at the end of that time. But if public areas are not included in the premises licence, the order will apply to it.

Who do I contact for further advice?

A member of SKDC’s community safety team on 01476 40 63 37.
Email: asb@southkesteven.gov.uk

Designated Public Places Order Maps