POLL: Do curbs on street drinking make Wisbech, March and Whittlesey safer?

Two years ago, police were given powers to seize alcohol from street drinkers in parts of Wisbech.

Since then, officers have seized 1299 bottle and cans in and around the town centre.

A report to councillors says that the problem became such a problem in the town that safer neighbourhood meetings were devoted to it.

Tillery Field, Golding Place, Milner Road and Norfolk Street have all been flagged up as areas of concern.

The report to councillors adds there is also evidence of drinkers looking for “safe havens” outside the area currently covered by the so-called DPPOs (designated public place orders).

There is a similar theme in March, where the report says there were 85 seizures last year - with instances falling off through the year.

“Further causes for the reduction were that many of the drinkers headed towards the outskirts of the DPPO area, as continuous education of these individuals inspired them to find ‘safe havens’ on the borders of the DPPO,” the report says.

“Such areas were reported as, North Drive Park, and Robin Goodfellows Park, as well as the skate bowl area of West End Park.”

Police in the town would like to continue the orders and extend them to cover a greater area.

Parts of Whittlesey have seen a fall in anti-social behaviour, the report adds.

It goes on: “This is as a direct result of the patrols by officers the seizures of alcohol within the DPPO area and the amounts taken both from persons drinking or underage youngsters, who are beginning to realise that the DDPO is in place and that the Police are using their various powers to remove the alcohol from them and will notify their parents via the GAP procedure.”

The report concludes that DPPOs in Wisbech, March and Whittlesey help police cut crime. It says sector inspectors in the three towns would like to see them continue.

Councillors on Fenland’s licensing committee will be asked to continue the orders when they meet next Thursday.