Designated Public Places Order - City Centre

City Centre and Stonehouse neighbourhoods

On 9 June 2009 the Licensing Committee (Miscellaneous) approved the designation of a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) to control street drinking. The order covers a large area of the city centre including West Hoe, Millbay, The Barbican, Exeter Street area, City Centre, Stonehouse and North Road West and will come into effect on 1 August 2009. A map detailing the area is available below.

The order does not ban drinking in public places but enables police officers to ask people to stop drinking where they have reason to believe that if they do not, alcohol-related nuisance and annoyance is likely to occur. Anyone refusing to comply with a request to stop drinking would be committing an offence and could face arrest and a fine of up to £500.

Councillor Peter Brookshaw, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment, said:

"The idea of this order is not to spoil the enjoyment of people whose drinking is clearly not causing a nuisance to those around them, such as families having a glass or two of wine in the park. The powers are to prevent problems caused by street drinkers and simply groups who are openly consuming large quantities of alcohol, causing a noise nuisance and intimidating other people. The order would enable officers to intervene and prevent problems escalating into criminal offences."

Licensed premises with a street café licence are not affected as long as they ensure their customers only drink alcohol within the designated area.

The full report presented to Licensing Committee on 9 June 2009 can be viewed on the councillors and committees page.

DPPO map [1.7MB]