Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Leadership is set to push forward with plans to introduce robust measures to tackle anti-social on-street drinking, following overwhelming calls for action from the public.
Cabinet considered a report on Monday (December 19) which detailed overwhelming evidence that set the case for introducing a County Borough-wide Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) which would make it an offence to refuse to surrender alcohol to a police officer or PCSO.
After considering the extensive evidence, gathered from a wide range of people across Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cabinet agreed to introduce the order as soon as possible.
The DPPO will give police extensive additional powers to deal with adults who feel it is acceptable to consume alcohol in public places and cause nuisance, upset and even intimidation for others.
Cllr Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Economic Development, explained: “Concerns were raised that there was not the evidence to support the introduction of a Rhondda Cynon Taf-wide DPPO and the report considered by Cabinet this week proves there is most definitely a case – those affected by the issue and those working to deal with it have spoken out resoundingly.
“Extensive research and consultation has found that a huge majority of people have witnessed on-street drinking and associated problems in our public places and most perceive alcohol to be the biggest single cause of crime.
“By introducing such a far-reaching order, we are giving those patrolling our streets additional, robust powers to deal with those adults who consume alcohol in public places and, subsequently, cause harm to our communities with their behaviour.
“Whether the incident is in a town centre, street, park or even on top of a mountain, our county-wide order will allow officers and PCSOs to take action.
“Combined with the extensive ongoing action and work taking place to deal with alcohol-related crime and disorder, the DPPO will strengthen our response.”
The report considered by Cabinet found:
94 per cent of the 323 people of all ages questioned in Pontypridd town centre reported witnessing drunken behaviour in the town and alcohol was perceived to be the biggest single cause of crime and disorder.
91 per cent of the 99 people surveyed in Aberdare felt the same, with alcohol once again being perceived as the main single cause of problems.
A follow up survey in both towns identified that 81 per cent of 266 people considered on-street drinking to be a problem, with 80 per cent stating a DPPO would be an effective in dealing with the issue. Sixty eight per cent of those questioned felt on-street drinking was a problem across Rhondda Cynon Taf, while 69 per cent felt introducing a borough-wide DPPO would be effective.
On street drinking was perceived to be the biggest single cause of problems amongst those questioned in Tonyrefail and Treorchy.
Half of the elected members who responded to the survey felt alcohol misuse was a very or fairly big problem in their ward and that people being drunk or rowdy was a fairly or very big problem.
Following Cabinet on Monday, work will now begin on the statutory legal process needed to introduce a DPPO.
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