Drinking on the street banned across the borough

A ban on on-street drinking that has operated in the town centres of Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood is being widened to cover almost all of the borough.

The order prohibits anyone from drinking alcohol in a 'public place' across a specified area. A public place is defined as 'any place to which the public have access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission.' Anyone found drinking alcoholic drinks in the designated area by a Police Officer or a Community Support Officer will have to give the drink to the officer for disposal.

If they fail to do so without a reasonable excuse, this could see them arrested, and facing a fine of up to £500. The only exemptions are licensed premises or registered clubs, or places with a temporary permission. Some rural areas of the borough, in Norden, Bamford, Littleborough, Milnrow and Newhey, Castleton, and Middleton are not covered by the order. This exemption means that people enjoying a drink with a picnic, for instance, would not fall foul of the ban.

The order supercedes the three town centre bans. Each of the town centre areas are covered under the new ban. Lead Member for Crime & Community Safety, Councillor Lynne Brosnan said, "When the town centre bans were introduced, I said that I would like to see the ban extended across the borough. This ban will be a powerful tool in helping to combat the anti social behaviour and youth nuisance that is all too often associated with drinking alcohol."

"The ban will also ensure that public places including parks are available for all, without an irresponsible few preventing families and others from enjoying them."