Controlled drinking zones – have your say

Published Monday 16 November 2015

People are being invited to have their say on proposals around controlled drinking zones.

Since 2010, two areas in the Harborough district currently have Designated Public Place Protection Orders (DPPOs) in place. These areas are Market Harborough and Lutterworth town centres. 

This means that in these areas the police have the power to tell a person to surrender their alcohol for disposal if that person is behaving in an anti-social manner.

It is not an offence to drink alcohol in these areas, but it is an offence to ignore a request to stop drinking or surrender alcohol in a controlled drinking zone.  Failure to comply with the request could lead to arrest and a fine of up to £500.

Nationally, these orders are now being replaced by the new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) which will have the same conditions. 

Views are now being sought by Harborough District Council on whether the existing Designated Public Place Protection Orders (DPPOs) should be removed, or replaced by the new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).

People can share their views before the deadline of 29 December 2015 at www.harborough.gov.uk/consultation

Those without internet access have the option to complete the survey using the computer screens in The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough. Paper copies of the consultation will also be available in The Symington Building.

Cllr Rosita Page, portfolio holder for community safety, said: “It is important we tackle any anti-social behaviour related to the drinking of alcohol in the district’s town centres and parks and I would encourage the public to have their say on how we should do this by taking part in this consultation.”