Police call for seafront drinking to be banned

Mar 21 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

POLICE have called for a ban on drinking alcohol on Barry Island seafront in time for summer.

It is the latest bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour during the resort’s most popular months.

The move follows incidents at the resort last year involving drunken youths from outside the area.

The proposal has been welcomed by traders on the Island who say drinkers on the promenade are ruining the family image they are trying to promote.

Bans on drinking on the streets of parts of Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major have helped to reduce late-night anti-social behaviour.

Now police have called for talks on extending the bans to the resort.

Before such a ban is introduced they will have to produce evidence showing that annoyance and disorder in the area is a result of consumption of alcohol.

In Penarth, bans have been introduced at Alexandra Park, The Kymin, Cogan Recreation Ground and The Dingle.

In Llantwit Major, drinking is banned in The Square and the Poundfield shopping centre, while in Barry, no drinking is allowed in Broad Street, Chickenwood Park, Pencoedtre Park, Romilly Park and Victoria Park.

In a report to councillors, Peter Evans, the Vale council’s director of legal and public protection, said it was vital that there were sufficient police in the areas to enforce the orders.

He said: “There is evidence that at some sites the orders have been effective in reducing the consumption of alcohol in public places.

“This is particularly the case in Penarth.

“Alcohol has also been seized by police in Llantwit Major. We are currently working with police to fully evaluate the impact of the orders and ensure that mechanisms are in place to record when and where fixed penalties are issued, how much alcohol is seized and the number of arrests and prosecutions.

“Police have approached us to consider the feasibility of introducing a further order on Barry Island to deal with anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol, particularly during the summer months.”

He said a study would be carried out.

Brian Osborne, who owns an amusement arcade on the seafront, said: “I, and I know many other traders, would welcome a ban.

“We are trying to promote a positive, family image of Barry Island and having people drinking in public does not help that.”

peter.collins@mediawales.co.uk