Ipswich Liberal Dems getting tough on street drinking

3.48.18pm GMT Thu 8th Feb 2007

Ex police special constable Cllr. Phil Green is introducing innovative schemes to help tackle crime in Ipswich

Plans for a Borough-wide street drinking ban go before the Executive of the Council this month. These are sponsored by ex police special constable and Lib Dem Cllr. Phil Green.

The move will give powers to the police to fine or arrest people who continue drinking booze when asked to stop.

The police will have discretion however so people enjoying responsible drinking at a street Cafeé or with a picnic in the park for example will be allowed to continue to enjoy a responsible drink.

A similar scheme in Norwich has seen the problem reduce by two-thirds.

The original plan was to introduce a designated public places order in the town centre only but it is thought all this would achieve would be to move the problem into residential areas - something we want to avoid.

If given the go ahead the ban will be in place in summer follow a period of public consultation.

The council continues to fund agencies that work with long-term street drinkers to tackle the deep-routed causes of this problem. Whilst we must not tolerate roudy behaviour we must also support schemes which address the root causes of the problem.