The public is to have its say on plans for a ban on boozing in public in Lichfield.

It is intended to create a designated public place order that would bring fines of up to £500 for anyone breaching the rules.

Lichfield District Council’s regulatory and licensing committee has now agreed to put the plan out to consultation. The public order would cover an area bounded by the A51 Western Bypass, A5192 Eastern Avenue, the railway line and the A5127 Birmingham Road.

Community safety officer Bob Haynes told councillors that it follows concern about increasing levels of under age drinking and drink-related anti-social behaviour in and around the North Lichfield area.

Failure to comply with a police officer’s request to stop drinking in public or to surrender the alcohol is an arrestable offence within a designated alcohol control area. Fines of up to £500 can also be imposed.

Local authorities were given powers to designate such areas in 2007 in an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Police Act.

On completion of the required consultation a further report will come back to the committee to make the final decision on whether to implement the order.

The council would have to buy and put up signs to identify the designated area.

“We know our residents want the issue of alcohol related anti-social behaviour dealt with and that it is a problem in north Lichfield,” said Helen Fisher, cabinet member for community at Lichfield District Council.

A report by the Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership for the period July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, revealed that there were 168 recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour in north Lichfield relating to alcohol – an increase of eight per cent on the previous year.

Twenty-five per cent of these incidents were recorded within a 150 metre radius of the Dimbles Lane shops and tended to involve youths aged between 14 and 17 years who had either been drinking or were in possession of alcohol.

Similar designated areas have been created elsewhere in Staffordshire. Councils must be satisfied that areas are suffering from alcohol-related crime and disorder.