Consultation continues on an Alcohol Control Zone for the centre of Hatfield

Feedback from local residents and traders about the proposed Alcohol Control Zone for the centre of Hatfield has prompted suggested extensions to the area.

It is proposed that the area is extended to include Hatfield railway station, Salisbury Square and roads linking these areas to the town centre. Residents and businesses in the revised area will receive consultation letters from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in February and will have the opportunity to respond to the proposed scheme.

The Alcohol Control Zone would be brought into effect by a “Designated Public Place Order” (DPPO) made by the Borough Council. A DPPO is designed to tackle nuisance arising from people acting anti-socially through drinking excessively in a public place. 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.  None of these powers apply within premises licensed for the sale of alcohol, or within private homes and gardens in the area.

County Councillor Richard Smith, the Chair of the Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety Partnership, said: “Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hatfield Town Council and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council have listened to the suggestions of residents and shopkeepers in the centre of Hatfield and are happy to extend the proposed area to meet many of the points raised. However, it is important to get the views of the people living and working in this new area, hence the additional consultation.

“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.”

Welwyn Hatfield Chief Inspector Simon Hawkins added: "Our aim is to reduce crime and disorder and to make Hatfield a safer and more attractive area for people of all ages to enjoy.
 
“Orders in other parts of the country have proven to be extremely successful and have reduced alcohol related crime and disorder by over 70 per cent.  We welcome your views.”

The council will consider any comments arising from the consultation before formally making the order, which will come into effect during March 2008.

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Follow this link for further information on DPPOs.