Proposals for public areas in Burnham-On-Sea, Highbridge, Berrow and Brean to become designated ‘no drinking zones’ have this week been given the go-ahead.
Sedgemoor District Council’s Licensing Committee has approved the plans to introduce new Designated Drinking Orders as part of a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour.
The changes mean police will have the power to ask for alcohol to be handed over in public places if people are believed to be causing trouble. If they refuse, they can be arrested and face fines of up to £500.
The scheme covers the whole of Burnham, Berrow, Brean and Burnham Without (to the west of the railway line) plus Highbridge (excluding Walrow and the Isleport Industrial estate), but does not include holiday parks, campsites or business premises. A map of the Burnham area affected is shown here.
Inspector Roger Tolley from Burnham Police welcomed the decision, telling Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I would stress that we are not going to be targeting anyone who is simply enjoying a drink in a public place and not causing trouble. Designated Drinking Orders help police to target those who carry out anti-social behaviour as a result of drinking.”
Town councillors were recently split on whether the ban should be introduced – ten councillors voted in favour of the blanket ban while five were against, with some questioning the costs of introducing the wider scheme.
Several Designated Drinking Orders have been in place in parts of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge since 2005 at known trouble spots, including Winchester Road playing fields, Manor Gardens, Rosewood Park playing fields, The Esplanade, Jubilee Gardens, Southwell Gardens and Apex Park.
The orders – which are being introduced under Sections 12-15 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 – do not apply to premises licensed to sell alcohol or locations where temporary event notices for the sale of alcohol have been granted.
