Booze ban to tackle drunken yobs

Residents and visitors to the Trinity Walk area of the city centre could benefit from a new alcohol exclusion zone which aims to reduce street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

If the exclusion zone comes into force it will be an offence to drink alcohol in the area and the police will have the power to confiscate and dispose of any alcohol. Other zones are already in operation in the district.

Coun Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for communities said the other zones had made a difference.

“We want to ensure that shoppers and residents visiting Trinity Walk and are able to enjoy the leisure facilities without being troubled by intimidating alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

“Since we introduced alcohol exclusion zones in 2006, such behaviour and other problems associated with street drinking have decreased significantly in the areas affected.”

The proposals will be discussed by members of Wakefield Council’s cabinet committee on Tuesday.