Police seeking alcohol exclusion zone to keep yobs off streets

About 120 residents have signed a petition backing the alcohol exclusion zone, which would allow police officers or police community support officers to confiscate booze being drunk out- doors or order people to stop drinking.

Those who fail to comply with the officers' orders could be arrested or face fines of up to 500. At present, officers do not have the power to take alcohol from adults and can only force people to stop drinking on the streets if they are under 18.

Inspector Jason Booth, from the Woorhouse and Mosborough safer neighbourhood team, has asked Sheffield Council to consider implementing the Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) on an area of Woodhouse village surounding Market Square, Cross Street and Chapel Street.

He said: "The creation of a DPPO was not something considered hastily and without an overview of the problems that have existed in Woodhouse village for many years.

"Historically, Woodhouse has experienced street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour in and around the village centre, particularly Market Square. Numerous policing initiatives have been utilised within the village, most of which have achieved short-term improvement.

"However, over the longer term the same issues have soon reoccurred, requiring a renewed response."

Insp Booth said that, in August last year, police research analyst Gary Birchall was asked to carry out a study in Woodhouse to analyse the problems of street drinking. A survey was also carried out with 207 local residents, of which 151 said they had witnessed alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the area.

The majority of those people said that behaviour was seen outside a shop or in a public area and the main problems were intimidation, noise, verbal abuse and harassment – mainly from young people aged between 25 and 34.

Insp Booth added: "The area identified for the DPPO contains a disproportionate level of reported anti-social behaviour, including street drinking.

"Our consultation with the local community suggests that the majority of people – 72 per cent of those surveyed – have witnessed alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour. It appears most of this goes unreported to the police, yet creates a negative perception of the village and no doubt deters people from visiting the area.

"The creation of the DPPO will constitute a valued additional power for the police to use within the village, alongside existing legislation. The use of the power will be enforced in a proportionate manner – ie not targeted at individuals outside local public houses enjoying a cigarette.

"A need exists to restore a feeling that Woodhouse village is a safe place to visit for local residents. The area is experiencing a slow regeneration, with shops being reopened, but this could be hampered if the area is blighted by anti-social behaviour or the perception of such by residents."

One Woodhouse resident, who is backing the introduction of the DPPO, pleaded with police to "remove the terrible drunken people who hang around and mar our beautiful shopping precinct."

He said: "These people loiter outside the Costcutter super- market accosting, begging and intimidating women, children and pensioners.

"Several people have approached officers about this matter but the matter continues to go on. People in Woodhouse are starting to lose faith in the police."

At a meeting of Sheffield Council's licensing board tomorrow, members will consider whether or not to follow the recommendations of South Yorkshire Police and launch a public consultation on whether to introduce the DPPO. That meeting will begin at Sheffield Town Hall at 10am.