Alcohol ban returns to Dudley after call for action
An alcohol ban is to return to Dudley town centre after complaints from traders and residents about people drinking in the streets.
Police have been putting up 'no drinking' signs as part the bid to tackle booze-fuelled anti-social behaviour.
They will be using powers to confiscate and pour away any alcohol they see being drunk in and around the town centre.
Sgt Rob Simpson said officers have been forced to take 'robust' action following concerns raised by businesses and residents.
"Local businesses and residents have been telling us that they are unhappy with street drinking so we will be taking a robust approach to this offence.
"Anyone that does not comply with the alcohol free zone will be arrested and fined at court.
"This alcohol free zone will be a continual part of our policing across the town centre and will not expire unless we apply for it to be rescinded," he said.
Shop owner Roger Scott, who runs Roger Scott Menswear in Stone Street, has welcomed the re-launched alcohol ban. "I have not witnessed anything myself but people do come into the shop and say they have seen people drinking, particularly in the market place area.
"I do support the drinking ban as it will help improve the town centre," he added.
Councillor Steve Waltho, cabinet member responsible for community safety, said: "As a partnership we take anything that has an impact on our local communities seriously.
"This order will hopefully improve the area for both businesses and residents and discourage people from carrying out unacceptable behaviour.
"We will continue working closely with our colleagues in the police to make sure that the ban is being adhered too."
The alcohol ban will exclude places where a premises licence or club premises certificate is in force for the supply and sale of alcohol under the Licensing Act as well as places where the sale of or consumption of alcohol is permitted on the public highways.
In April an alcohol ban was introduced in Quarry Bank.
There are already such zones in Halesowen, Stourbridge, Sedgley, Coseley, Woodsetton and Upper Gornal as a result of previous action to crackdown on anti-social behaviour caused by drinking in the streets of the borough.
