OFFICERS LEAD CRACKDOWN ON PARK DRINKERS
| Published: 2nd July 2008 13:05 |
All streets and parks in Coventry have been declared ‘designated public areas' meaning it is illegal to consume alcohol there.
The majority of violent crime and a large proportion of anti-social behaviour is alcohol related and officers will be targeting the individuals responsible.
Anyone caught drinking alcohol in public will have it confiscated. If they resist or carry on drinking they can be issued with a £50 fine.
Over one weekend earlier this month, officers managed to fill an entire wheelie bin with alcohol confiscated from people in the Memorial Park and Spencer Park, mainly from underage drinkers.
The crackdown has proved a success with the area seeing a 17.9 per cent drop in anti-social behaviour so far this month (up to 26 June) compared to the same period in May.
Sergeant Dave Bailey, from the Earlsdon neighbourhood policing team, said: "People need to get the message that drinking alcohol in public will not be tolerated.
"The majority of people we're confiscating alcohol from are fully aware it is illegal and are making a conscious decision to do so. These are the people we're targeting.
"Also, with the Godiva Festival at the Memorial Park approaching, it is important to get the message across to people that they are not allowed to drink in public places, including the park. It's vital to emphasise this ban isn't anything to do with the festival, this is something that is permanently in place."
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