21st March 2012

LYME REGIS: Police call for powers to deal with drunks

LYME Regis police are calling for more powers to reduce drunkeness in the town’s public areas.

Following a closed Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meeting held at the local Police Station last week, PC Richard Winward, leader of the Lyme Regis Safer Neighbourhood Team, is calling on the town council to reconsider the provision of a Designated Public Place Order for the Langmoor and Lister Gardens and the new Marine Parade shelters.

If such an order was in place, it would give police the power to instruct people drinking to surrender their alcohol or leave the designated area.

PC Winward told the View from Lyme Regis: “Often police meet over 18s in the gardens and shelters who are drinking quite legally and not committing any offences at that time. But it is clear that they may do later.

“This power would prevent later drunkenness, damage and litter. It would also give a better impression of the town to visitors.”

Not an alcohol ban

PC Winward emphasised that this was not an alcohol ban and those who simply want to enjoy a drink in the public areas can continue to do so. But he added: “Sometimes the police know that a particular group or individual may cause problems later and to prevent that they must surrender their alcohol or simply leave.”

PC Winward said there were already powers to deal with under 18s drinking and these had been used “to good effect” over the last few years with the result that there were very few seizures last year as young people knew that their alcohol would be confiscated and their parents informed.

Town clerk Mike Lewis said the request for a Designated Public Place Order would go before the next meeting of the Strategy and Policy Committee when the police would be invited to attend, put forward their views and answer questions from councillors.

Barbecues on the beach was another issue discussed at the PACT meeting. Problems have been encountered with beach users trying to dispose of their barbecues after use as they cannot be placed in plastic bins because of the risk of fire and damage. This has resulted in the barbecues being left on the beach for someone to clean up the next day.

Lyme Regis Town Council will look into the question of whether barbecues should be banned from the beach or whether a metal bin should be provided for safe disposal of the barbecue remains.

The ongoing issue of whether Lyme Regis should have a dedicated loading bay for deliveries was discussed, Although the consensus of opinion was that there was simply nom space for such a proposal, it was agreed that enquiries would be made as to whether loading bays had to be of a specific length.

Virgil Turner, station commander at Lyme Regis Fire Station, raised the issue of parking in some of the town’s narrow roads which obstructed the free passage of the fire engines. Inconsiderate parking by residents and visitors was blamed and Mr Turner warned that there could be fatal consequences if the cire crew could not reach the location of a fire because of parked vehicles.

It was agreed that the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service would continue to issue advice leaflets to “offending” vehicles and the police would personally visit the vehicle’s owner to explain the problems.

Councillor Clhris Clipson, representing Lyme Regis Town Council, gave an update of the installation of CCTV in the new Marine Parade shelters, reporting that planning permission was still be sought.

The PACT meeting was chaired by Mr John Lello and attended by representatives from the police, Wwest Dorset District Council, Lyme Regis Town Council, Dorset County Youth Service, Lyme Traders organisation, the DorsetFire and Rescue Service and Tony Norman, representing the interest of older people in the town.

Lyme Regis Town Council agreed to organise the next public PACT meeting which will be held in September.

LYME REGIS: Police call for powers to deal with drunks

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