Consultation begins on a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) for the centre of Hatfield

A Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) for the centre of Hatfield has been proposed following a request from Hatfield Town Council, supported by Hertfordshire Constabulary and based on evidence from local traders and residents.

A DPPO is designed to tackle nuisance arising from people acting anti-socially through drinking excessively. It is already an offence to be drunk and disorderly, and police already have powers to handle under-age drinkers. What a DPPO does is give any accredited officers (police, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council street wardens and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)) additional powers to stop people drinking straight away and confiscate their alcohol. Drinking in itself will not be an offence, only failure to comply with authorised officers’ instructions.

Residents and shopkeepers within the area will receive consultation letters from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in October. The purpose of the consultation is to find out whether they feel the Order will be helpful and whether the proposed area covers the right places.

Councillor Richard Smith, the Chair of the Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety Partnership, said: “The Hertfordshire Constabulary and Hatfield Town Council have listened to concerns of residents and shopkeepers in the centre of Hatfield and feel that a DPPO will be an effective tool to combat disorder and particularly anti-social behaviour in the area.

“I would like to emphasise that, if implemented, the centre of Hatfield will not become an alcohol-free zone. Drinking in itself will not be an offence, only failure to comply with authorised officers’ instructions.”

Central Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Alison Romme-Gifford added: “Hertfordshire Constabulary is working closely with the Town Council, local partners and the community itself to create safer neighbourhoods. This Order would give us further powers in helping to target nuisance and disorder arising out of excessive drinking and would help restore a sense of safety and security for those using the Town Centre area."

If residents and shopkeepers agree with the proposed area, the DPPO will be introduced in December 2007.

Download the letter, question and answer sheet and map here.

If you wish to reproduce the map in any media, please follow the instructions below:

1. You must have a Media License Number. If you don't, one can be obtained from Pauline Hand at Ordnance Survey on this number 02380 792251.
2. Any Mapping displayed from Welwyn Hatfield Council must have our Local Authority License clearly displayed. For the record this is LA 100019547 2007

Follow this link for more information on DPPOs.

More information about the CSP can be found on the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance's website.