The Leadership of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is to introduce a County Borough wide clampdown on anti-social drinking. One of the toughest measures to tackle and control the problematic consumption of alcohol in public areas is to be introduced across the whole of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
This move by the Council’s Cabinet will give the Police the necessary powers to act on the anti-social behaviour caused by public drinking in any area of the County. The move to introduce the measure, known as a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO), follows the success of the Council’s implementation of a similar Order in Ynysyngharad War Memorial Park.
The Council’s Leader, Cllr Russell Roberts made this announcement at a meeting with Police Officers to discuss the issue of alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour in and around Tonyrefail town centre along with local Councillors Eudine Hanagan & Bob McDonald.
Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor Russell Roberts said:
“As an administration we are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and the drinking of alcohol in public places is a key cause.
“I know from my own experiences and efforts in my area of Tonyrefail the difficulties because Police state that they lack the necessary powers to effectively tackle this issue, which has been very frustrating.
“With this introduction the Police will have the necessary powers at their disposal to take action against those causing a nuisance as a result of alcohol fuelled actions.
“A County Borough wide DPPO provides the potential to tackle problematic drinking at any public location whether on the street or a car park or on a mountain road for example.
“The County Borough wide Designated Public Place Order is an ambitious move, which few local authorities have achieved, but we are confident this is the right move that will send a very clear message to the culprits causing anti- social behaviour.
“It very clearly demonstrates that we take a tough stance on anti-social behaviour and that as an administration we are taking action on behalf of the people we represent to seriously tackle this issue.”
County Borough Councillor Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership said:
“When we introduced this order to tackle nuisance drinking in Ynysyngharad War Memorial Park, it was an incredibly problematic process. As we have worked to progress the public and the Council’s appetite for these in individual town centres, we have concluded that as the problem affects so many of our communities, and with the evidence needed by the Home Office being so complex, we want to take the ambitious move to introduce the measure across the whole of the County Borough.
“When we introduced this order to tackle nuisance drinking in Ynysyngharad War Memorial Park, it was an incredibly problematic process. As we have worked to progress the public and the Council’s appetite for these in individual town centres, we have concluded that as the problem affects so many of our communities, and with the evidence needed by the Home Office being so complex, we want to take the ambitious move to introduce the measure across the whole of the County Borough.
“We know this issue affects every community in Rhondda Cynon Taf and that is why we are dedicating significant resources to delivering this Order.
“The proposal to be considered by Cabinet next week will be one of the most significant and powerful anti-social behaviour measures to be undertaken by the Council.
“The Police already have many powers to deal with disorder and problematic drinking. It is not surprising to note that these powers are heavily inclined towards dealing with younger individuals. The additional powers provided by the DPPO provides a completeness for the Police to successfully intervene and challenge this unacceptable behaviour particularly in dealing with adult culprits.”
A report detailing the process to introduce a County Borough wide DPPO will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet on 26th September at its public meeting in Pontyclun.
The results and experiences of introducing DPPOs in Ynysyngharad Park and Penrhiwceiber have proved to be incredibly positive with tangible benefits for both locations. As an additional tool, the Council’s Leadership and its Officials are confident that a County Borough wide DPPO will strengthen the ability of the Police to minimise the unwanted problems caused by excessive consumption of alcohol.
