Crackdown on drinking dens

5:10pm Friday 1st December 2006

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IT appears to be one of York's quietest leafy villages - but it has been turned into a late-night drinking den for yobs.

Now an alcohol-free zone is set to be created in Copmanthorpe to curb boozing youths and antisocial behaviour.

City of York Council is proposing to introduce alcohol exclusion zones in the village and also a part of York city centre, near the Minster.

The council is looking to make the parish of Copmanthorpe and the Boer War Memorial Gardens, off Duncombe Place, areas where drinking alcohol is forbidden.

In both cases, the council is responding to feedback from members of the public who have experienced or witnessed alcohol-related nuisance, annoyance or disorder in these areas.

Anyone caught committing an offence could be fined up to £500, or even face jail.

If the proposal is given the go-ahead, the police will have increased powers to tackle on-street drinking. It would mean that anyone convicted of drinking on-street and in public places in either of the two areas could face a fine of up to £500.

The council's licensing manager John Lacy said: "There has been a major problem in Copmanthorpe with street drinking.

"You would not think it in a nice place like that, but there have been a number of problems there with nuisance behaviour.

"It is important that we stamp it out now because we don't want to see the decline of what is a top class residential area."

Councillor Glen Bradley, for Rural West, which includes Copmanthorpe, said: "We have been supporting residents and the parish council in their efforts to tackle recent problems in the Low Green area of Copmanthorpe.

"I am very pleased with the way that local people, the council, ward councillors, the parish council and police have worked together to deliver significant improvements in recent months.

"I understand the parish council are in favour of the proposed Alcohol Exclusion Zone and I want to encourage further discussion with residents on whether to introduce the restrictions to help prevent further problems with drinking-related nuisance.

"I have already received comments from residents on the subject and welcome any other views which come forward during this consultation."

The Press told in August how there had been complaints of anti-social behaviour in the area around the war memorial, opposite Dean Court Hotel.

Visitors to the hotel had complained after they were kept awake by rowdy teenagers.

Inspector Richard Crinnion, of York Police, said: "This came around from residents' complaints about large groups of youths gathering on the memorial.

"We've had a residents' meeting and we are going to improve lighting. We have also been doing more patrols down there."

The council is keen to hear what local residents think of the proposals and anyone who would like to comment is asked to write to: Andy Hudson, Assistant Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, 9 St Leonard's Place, York, YO1 7ET. Comments must be submitted no later than December 29.