Designated Public Places Order (DPPO)

The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 provides local authorities with powers to restrict anti-social drinking in designated public places. The Act provides the Police with the power and discretion to enforce these restrictions. When an area has been designated any person will be committing an offence and may be arrested, if they do not stop drinking or you fail to surrender alcohol when asked to do so by a police officer.

The Act is not intended to lead to a complete ban on drinking in public places or not to disrupt peaceful activities, for example families having a picnic in a park or on the beach with a glass of wine. While police officers have the discretion to require an individual to refrain from drinking regardless of behaviour, it is not appropriate to challenge an individual consuming alcohol where that individual is not causing a problem.

The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 makes it clear that this power is to be used explicitly for addressing nuisance or annoyance associated with the consumption of alcohol in a public place.

The Act allows the authority to designate areas where there is enough evidence of nuisance; annoyance and public crime and disorder associated with public drinking.

A DPPO can only be made if the Licensing Committee is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate nuisance and annoyance to members of the public associated with the consumption of alcohol in a public place.

An application can be made by any person, group or organisation, however applications would have a better chance of success if a combined submission is made, with supporting evidence by all interested groups eg local community groups, Police, PACT, support agencies.

To ensure full analysis we must consult with the local police, licensees within the area who might be affected by the designation order, the owners or occupiers of any land, local residents and business. Whether or not a DPPO is granted is a matter for the Licensing Committee based on the evidence submitted.

It is not possible to create an order to cover the whole city, as this would be considered as disproportionate, therefore any evidence must address the particular.