Alcohol Alcohol Consumption in Public Places
Designation Orders: Best Practice
Newquay - Cornwall
Newquay is a seaside town with a population of 20,000. It has a vibrant night-time economy and a total club capacity of 10,000 people. Newquay is currently a mecca for stag and hen weekends and is easily accessible by road or air. Drink promotions in its bars and clubs have however brought with them problems of underage drinking and alcohol-related crime and disorder.
Response
The powers to confiscate alcohol in a designated area and to confiscate alcohol from young people have been particularly useful in targeting alcohol misuse.
During the season of 2004, emphasis was placed on the roads and streets included in the DPPO area to confiscate alcohol. CCTV provided the intelligence while a small team of dedicated officers patrolled the streets to deal specifically with alcohol issues. The power to confiscate alcohol as well as the nightly intrusive club and pub visits was essential to their role.
Newquay police have also proactively used the powers under the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons Act 1997) to confiscate alcohol from youths.
Since the 1st July 2004 there have been a total of 2,067 alcohol seizures from the alcohol free zones. This has prevented an increase in alcohol-related crime in Newquay compared with previous rises. Total seizures under the powers to confiscate alcohol from youths during the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign amount to 347.
What has been learnt?
Sufficient dedicated resources need to be available if confiscation of alcohol is to be effective. If carried out in a firm but fair manner there is very little friction caused by enforcing this legislation.
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It is important to have high profile signs regarding the DPPO and one-way bins for the seized alcohol containers.
For further information contact:
Inspector Ivan Trethewey
Tel: 08452 777444
Email: ivan.trethewey@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Last update: Tuesday, July 24, 2007