Craven Arms booze ban could be delayed for eight months
Friday 3rd September 2010, 12:08PM BST.
A BOOZE BAN aimed at fighting anti-social behaviour in a south Shropshire town could be delayed for up to eight months – to the despair of councillors.
Local police officers and town councillors in Craven Arms have spent several months working on proposals to introduce an alcohol enforcement zone giving officers the power to confiscate drinks from people causing a disturbance.
But despite more than 300 residents signing petitions in favour of the move, it has emerged that the proposal may not be discussed at Shirehall until next spring.
The news has been met with anger by town councillors, who have insisted they are not prepared to wait so long and have vowed to seek an alternative solution to bring the measures into force.
Under current Shropshire Council policy, designated public place orders can only be discussed and ratified by full council meetings.
Andy Goldsmith, assistant director for public protection at Shropshire Council, told councillors and residents at Tuesday’s meeting of Craven Arms Town Council that the issue would not be heard until March or April next year.
At the meeting, police claimed to have received 56 calls from concerned residents during July and August relating to drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour. Previously incidents of graffiti and vandalism have been reported in areas such as the town’s railway station and playing fields.
Clive Leworthy, chairman of Craven Arms Town Council, said: “We were not happy about the timescales put forward. We were told it would have to go in front of a full council meeting and they only meet twice a year.
“We are not prepared to wait for between six and eight months, and we are trying to see if powers can be delegated to a licensing committee.”
By Peter Kitchen
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
