Street drink ban plan to stamp out nuisance in Quarry Bank
People caught boozing on the streets in Quarry Bank face their drink being seized or even arrest under new powers being sought by police.
Officers have applied for an area which includes the High Street, Dunn's Bank and Stevens Park to become an alcohol exclusion zone. They want the zone in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour, which they say is blighting the lives of people who live there. Alcohol exclusion zones already exist in town centres in Halesowen, Stourbridge, Dudley and Sedgley.
Sgt Steve Gordon said the area was facing problems of litter, noise, violence and damage to property because of people openly drinking in the streets.
He said: "Over the years quality of life in Quarry Bank has been increasingly affected by a noticeable increase in individuals and groups of people consuming alcohol in public places.
"There are now several acts of anti-social behaviour which have resulted in complaints to both police and the local authority.
"It is greatly believed that this increase of issues can be quelled by the introduction of a drinking ban in public areas of Quarry Bank."
Sgt Gordon also said the drinkers' behaviour was causing a risk to residents' health and putting a strain on local services.
He said: "Regularly there are several empty beer cans, signs of urination and glass bottles left strewn over the area.
"This then becomes a health hazard for people in the area as it is untidy and unhealthy."
Within the proposed zone, police will have the power to take alcohol off people. People who fail to hand it over can be issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice.
Chris Homer, co-director of electrical store Homers of Quarry Bank, in High Street, said: "We're not here in the evening, but in the mornings you see the rubbish and the empty beer cans lying around."
Dudley Council's licensing committee is to consider allowing the force to introduce the zone at a meeting on Wednesday.
