Drinking alcohol while walking along Billericay High Street and other streets in the town may soon become illegal if an application to the council gets the green light.

Billericay Police are making the application to Basildon Council to stop people drinking out of open bottles and cans in the street.

If it is successful, Billericay will be the first town in the Basildon division to pilot the scheme.

Sgt Steve Smith from Billericay Police said: "We are liaising with the council to have designated areas where drinking in public is not allowed.

"If it is a success in Billericay, I am sure other stations will want to put in an application to the council."

Police will be able to stop anyone drinking alcohol in the street, demand they hand it over and if they refuse, put them under arrest.

Yet police stress it will not affect those pubs and restaurants who have tables out on the pavement.

Sgt Smith added: "We don't want this to affect the cosmopolitan feel of the High Street."

The application has meet mixed feelings from the chairman of Billericay Chamber of Trade.

Peter Murray said: "While I don't like controls being placed on people all the time, I am pleased if it increases the police presence and helps prevent the disturbances in the High Street."

Published Tuesday August 13, 2002

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