Plans for Ilkley's anti-social drinking 'no-go' zone unveiled

8:16am Thursday 19th June 2008

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BLUEPRINTS for an anti-social drinking no-go zone have finally been unveiled as Bradford Council asks Ilkley businesses and residents for their views.

The police-instigated plans for a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) could give officers the power to confiscate alcohol from drunken yobs on Ilkley's streets before the end of the summer.

The Order itself has to be made by Bradford Council, but the authority must first consult businesses and residents who live in the proposed zone.

Although parish councillors and other supporters of the plans had hoped to see a much wider area included in the zone, Bradford Council has drawn up a boundary taking in the town centre, riverside area, Denton Road recreation ground, East Holmes Field and Middleton Sports Ground, South Hawkesworth Street car park and Ilkley Station.

The proposed zone does not include Darwin Gardens or the edge of the moor, where residents have recently complained of drinking and anti-social behaviour.

Residents and businesses have until July 7 to give their views to Bradford Council.

Although the police already have the power to confiscate alcohol from underage drinkers and can act against anyone committing a crime, they say the DPPO will give officers the ability to combat anti-social drinking and disturbances before a crime can be committed.

It is claimed that the extra powers could help tackle troublemakers who come into Ilkley during the summer with the intention of causing bother, before the situation gets out of hand.

Ilkley Police are so keen on the introduction of the DPPO that they spared the time of their own Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to hand-deliver the consultation letters.

Inspector Susan Sanderson said: "It gives us the power to stop people drinking if there is a likelihood of anti-social behaviour, it doesn't stop people taking a bottle of champagne down to the riverside to enjoy on a sunny day.

"It only affects designated public places, not private property, so it won't stop people drinking in private gardens."

She says the order is most likely to be used if officers see or are alerted to drinkers causing a nuisance to other people in public places.

The zone proposed by Bradford Council also includes the Memorial Gardens off Bolton Bridge Road, Tesco supermarket on Springs Lane, plus Tivoli Place and Belle Vue.

Police asked for the order following instances of trouble during the summer months around the riverside and at Ilkley Carnival in the past.

Insp Sanderson revealed that as well as asking to have the fairground fenced off at Ilkley Carnival in May, officers also went prepared with maps and documents enabling them to ban anyone behaving anti-socially from the area for 48 hours. She hopes the DPPO could be implemented in August.

Ilkley Parish Council also supports the introduction of a DPPO.