Booze ban bid has backing

Police have asked Dudley Council to impose an alcohol ban in Lye after success of similiar schemes in Stourbridge, Dudley and Halesowen.

Stourbridge Area Committee backed the scheme saying measures had to be taken to tackle problems. The scheme, if approved, will give police power to confiscate alcohol from anyone boozing in the restricted zone.

They can be prosecuted if they do not co-operate.

The northern point of the zone will be Lye Bypass and the southern point Cemetery Road taking in High Street, Pedmore Road, Talbot Street and Cross Walks.

A period of consultation will now begin and letters will go out to every home within the zone asking for comments from residents.

Inspector Phil Boardman, of Stourbridge Police, said that the problems in the town were not significant but were still a concern to both officers and residents.

Councillor Les Jones said that he was in favour of the scheme but warned that it could mean simply moving the problem of boozing to neighbouring streets.

"This is an excellent scheme and one which has been fought for by residents and councillors alike for many years," he said.

"It has been made more practical by the use of community police officers which means this ban can be enforced effectively.

"There is nothing worse than creating a ban and then finding there is no way to work it."

"My one concern is the boundary at Cross Walks.

"There is an estate near there and we do not want the problems spilling to there once the ban has been put in place.

"Displacement is a problem."

Councillor John Donegan, who represents Lye and Wollescote, said that he welcomed the scheme which was desperately needed in the town.