A NEW law to crackdown on street drinking may be introduced in Conisbrough and Denaby as part of a drive to reduce booze-related crime.
Police want to enforce a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) on both towns, after the same scheme proved a success in neighbouring Mexborough.
Sergeant Daren Cawley said: "These orders have been used effectively in Mexborough and other areas acro
ss the country.
"Alcohol among youngsters and adults fuels a lot of the anti-social behaviour that we have seen on the streets of Conisbrough and Denaby, so we hope a DPPO will help us to reduce these problems."
The order gives police extra powers to deal with people who are drinking outdoors and causing a nuisance.
It would not be an offence to drink in the street, but it would be illegal were someone to refuse to stop drinking after officers asked them to.
Offenders are given a warning and may also be issued with an on-the-spot fine of £50.
Alcohol-fuelled crime
Sgt Cawley said: "Along with nuisance motorcyclists, alcohol-fuelled crime is the biggest concern that people express to us when we hold our public meetings.
"There are a lot of problems in areas such as Hickleton Street and Bolton Street at Denaby and the streets around the castle and at Mill Piece pond.
"This order would assist us in these areas in particular and hep to improve the quality of life for residents.
"There are also health issues. youngsters drinking on the street seem to be getting younger, recently we caught some girls with drink who were only about 13.
"This order will not affect people drinking on private property and in beer gardens.
But we want to cut the number of youngsters, and adults, who are drinking on the streets and causing a nuisance."
The Safer Neighbourhood Team are currently putting together an evidence file to support their application for the order and they hope to have this ready within the next couple of months.
Officers will present their findings to the Licensing Committee at Doncaster Council who will make a final decision on the
proposal.
A DPPO was introduced in Mexborough in 2006 and last year police reported that drink-related crime had reduced by two-thirds.
