AN ALCOHOL free zone is set to be launched in Irchester in November.
Residents in the village, along with the police and parish council, have been calling for the Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order to be put in place due to the number of incidents of alcohol related anti-social behaviour.
A report about the new zone which will cover the village will be discussed on Monday at Wellingborough Council’s Community Committee.
It states: “Irchester village centre suffers consistently from a high level of alcohol related disorder including anti-social behaviour.
“Between Jan 09-July 10, the number of ASB incidents reported was 459 and the average per month was 24.
“The powers following introduction of a zone mean police may require individuals to stop drinking alcohol immediately and the police may remove alcoholic drinks from problem drinkers on the street.
“Where individuals do not comply with such requests they could be arrested and upon conviction, fined up to a maximum of £2,500.”
Wellingborough borough councillor, Cllr Tim Maguire, who represents Irchester, is all in favour of the Alcohol Free Zone.
Cllr Maguire said: “I am looking forward to it coming in.
“We do have a problem on Friday and Saturday night within the village.
“By doing this it will send a message out we are not going to tolerate it.
“There is always glass on the recreation ground.
“It will help the village as it will stop groups of youths drinking on the streets of Irchester. Residents in the area want it; the parish council wanted it as do the ward councillors for Irchester on the borough council. I think it will be good for the village as you will not be able to drink on the streets of Irchester.”
