The drinking byelaw in Bury St Edmunds has been updated to give police more powers to clampdown on people causing a nuisance in public places.
The current byelaw makes it an offence to continue drinking alcohol in various parts of Bury St Edmunds town centre if a police officer has asked you to stop. Officers now will have extra ability to tackle any problems by using additional powers to confiscate and dispose of alcohol in both sealed and opened containers.
This new designation order can be used when an officer reasonably believes a person is, has been or intends to drink. It has been designed to clamp down on people who are drinking in a public place and causing annoyance or anti-social behaviour. The order applies to the same area as the existing ban, which covers Bury St Edmunds town centre, but does not affect licensed areas outside pubs and cafes.
People who carry on drinking alcohol after police have asked them to stop or who fail to surrender their alcohol when an officer asks them to do so could be arrested and/or fined up to £500.
The change to the byelaw came following a request from the police, who often found that people who were asked to stop drinking simply moved elsewhere. St Edmundsbury then consulted a range of individuals and organisations on the new designation order, including the police, public landowners, Bury Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce and members of the public.
Cllr Jeremy Farthing, Portfolio Holder for Safe, Sustainable Communities and Environment at St Edmundsbury said:
“Although Bury St Edmunds does not have an overwhelming problem with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, this new order will give the police more power to tackle the small number of people who spoil things for others. The town is already attractive and thriving and amongst the safest in the whole country. This order will help make sure it stays that way.”
The new powers are discretionary which means the council can, with the agreement of the police, allow public events such as festivals to proceed without any restrictions on alcohol.
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
