Booze ban report (From Penarth Times)

Booze ban report

THE Vale Council met last night to decide on the introduction of a booze ban in Penarth troublespots.

South Wales Police have called for a ban on the consumption of alcohol in the Dingle, Alexandra Park, the Kymin and at Cogan Recreation Ground.

Police say drinking in these public places has led to disorder or annoyance to members of the public.

A council report on the problem warned that designating drink-ban areas may move the problem on to other areas and that members of the public, whose behaviour is not in any way anti-social, may be penalised.

The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 gave local authorities the power to designate areas of public space in which it will become an offence for any person to drink alcohol after being required by a police officer not to do so.

Failure to comply with a police request in the ban areas would become an arrestable offence punishable by a fine.

Other parts of the Vale where the ban is being considered are Broad Street, Chickenwood, Pencoedtre Park and Victoria Park in Barry and five other locations in Cowbridge and Llantwit Major.