Lib Dems Call for Play Areas Alcohol Ban

6.23.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th Apr 2008

Cllr Myrtle Stewardson and Bedford Borough Lib Dems want to see an alcohol ban for children's play areas

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have called for all children's play areas to be declared alcohol free zones. The Lib Dems want to see the council use its powers to impose a ban on the consumption of alcohol in play areas in order to make them safer places for children to play.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Putnoe Ward Coun Myrtle Stewardson is calling on her fellow members of the Licensing Act Committee to back her proposal to ban alcohol at these most unsuitable sites.

Commenting on the issue, she said:

"Discarded, empty and often smashed bottles of alcoholic drinks are sadly becoming a more and more common sight in our children's play areas. They are being used at night time as a place where people gather and drink alcohol. Parents and their young children suffer the consequences as the play areas are turned into dangerous places by the debris left behind and the vandalism which often occurs as a result of the drinking. Groups of people gathering to drink in play areas can also make life a misery for local residents thanks to excessive noise and general anti-social behaviour'

"There is no good reason for anyone to ever be drinking alcohol in a children's play area. That's why I am urging the Licensing Committee Members to support the proposal to put a stop to it. Let's reclaim these play areas once and for all for the young children who simply need a safe place to play."

At a meeting of the (Licensing Act 2003) Licensing Committee on Monday 21st April Coun Stewardson will ask the committee to consider the proposal for all play areas across Bedford Borough are made alcohol frees zones. This would allow the police to require individuals to stop drinking alcohol immediately and to confiscate alcoholic drinks from drinkers in play areas. Where individuals do not comply with such requests they could be arrested and, upon conviction, fined up to a maximum of £500.