Loutish behaviour and hooliganism will not be tolerated in Billericay - that was the message from councillors as they gave an alcohol ban in public places the thumbs up.
At a Basildon council meeting members unanimously agreed to prohibit the drinking of alcohol in public places within a central zone in the town.
The High Street, Laindon Road, Sun Street, Chapel Street, Western Road, Radford Way, Mountenessing Road, Woolworths and Waitrose car parks, the Festival Gardens and Sun Corner are all included in the ban.
The curbs give police the power to confiscate any alcohol from people drinking in a public place and prosecute offenders.
Billericay representatives on Basildon Council hailed it as an excellent idea that if proved a success, may be rolled out to the rest of the district.
Cllr Stephen Horgan said: "There have been problems in the High Street. There are youths on street corners and residents often find alcohol bottles in their gardens.
"There are frequently people drinking on the street and this can cause all kinds of problems as it often results in fist fights.
"We don't want to over exaggerate the problem but it is trying to shut the stable door before the horse has bolted."
Opposition Labour members on Basildon Council raised some concerns that this may prohibit residents holding street parties.
But Billericay representative, Cllr David Dadds said the new rules would target anti-social behaviour.
Published Friday January 30, 2004
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